156 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



residence of the fort-major. The closet where the murder was committed is still 

 shown as the " Douglas's room." This powerful noble — who, even after the 

 expiration of his delegated power as lieutenant-general of the kingdom, was a 

 most formidable rival of the king — had caused John Harris, a gentleman of 

 eminent loyalty, to be executed on account of a private quarrel, and in open 

 defiance of the king's prohibitory mandate. He had also entered into a league 

 with the earls of Crawford and Ross, obliging all parties to mutual support in 

 case of need. He had forced into an engagement of attendance, even against the 

 crown, the greater part of his own vassals ; and when Maclellan, a near relation of 

 Lord Gray, offered some objections, he had him seized and forcibly conveyed to 

 Douglas castle. Whilst there. Sir Patrick, Lord Gray's son, arrived with a mandate 

 from the king to save the captive vassal, and was convivially entertained by the 

 earl, to whom Sir Patrick showed the royal letter. Douglas received it with 

 every mark of reverence, and having read it, said, " I am indebted to you for 

 having been the bearer of so gracious a letter from his majesty : the demand 

 shall instantly be granted, and the more readily for your sake." He then took 

 his guest by the hand, and led him to the castle-green, where something lay 

 with a cloth thrown over it. Removing the cover, " Sir Patrick," said he, with 

 affected concern, " you have come a little too late ; this is your sister's son, but 

 he wants the head. — Take his body, however, and do with it what you will." 

 " My lord," replied Gray, in an agony of grief, " since you have taken 

 the head, I leave you to dispose of the body also." Then, calling for his 

 horse, and mounting, " If I hve," said he to Douglas, " the merit of your 

 present labour shall not pass unrewarded." A hot pursioit was the conse- 

 quence; and Gray only escaped the fate of his relative by the fleetness of 

 his iiorse. 



Informed of this atrocious outrage, the king summoned a select council to 

 deliberate as to the course to be adopted respecting Douglas ; and it was resolved 

 to invite him to court, with a promise of oblivion, on condition of good behaviour 

 for the future. Witli this pledge for his personal safety, Douglas repaired to 

 meet his sovereign in Stirling castle, where he was invited to sup on Slirove 

 Tuesday. After supper, taking him aside into a recess or closet, where only 

 some of the privy council and the guard were in attendance, the king told him 

 tliat he was fully apprised of the illegal compact which had been entered into 

 between himself and certain factious nobles, and desired him to break loose 

 from such disloyal engagement. Douglas, however, not only refused to break 

 off the connexion, but upbraided the king with having driven him to the very 

 adoption of the measure. " Well," said the king, irritated by past recollections, 



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