a 
AN INCIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF KIRKCUDBRIGHT. 127 
another English commander, Carleton had Borderers under his 
command, and one, Anthon Armstrong, with a keen eye, no 
doubt, to the ransom, rather than from any feeling of pity, called 
out to the poor woman, “ Fetch him to me, and I’l] warrant his 
life.’’ The woman brought her husband (who was, perhaps, 
nothing loth) through the dyke, and delivered him over to Arm- 
strong, who took him to England, and received a ransom for him. 
Just at this point the Laird of Bombie made his appearance with 
a party of his friends and vassals, and attacked the besiegers. 
The result of a sharp encounter, however, was that several of 
M‘Lellan’s men were killed, and others taken prisoners, and the 
party compelled to retreat. It is said that only one Englishman 
fell, but commanders in all ages have minimised their losses. Be 
that as it may, the determined attitude of the defenders and the 
help they were likely to receive, decided the English commander 
on a retreat to Dumfries. He, however, denuded the district of 
stock, carrying with him, according to his despatch, no fewer than 
2000 sheep, 200 cows and oxen, with 40 or 50 horses, mares, and 
colts. The people rose behind them on the west side of the Dee, 
and proceeded towards a place, then called “ Forehead Ford,’’ 
which, I think, may be identified with the present farm of Ford, 
near Bridge of Dee. The Galloway men must have been in con- 
siderable strength, as the Englishmen were alarmed to such an 
extent that they abandoned their sheep, and gave the charge of 
their “ nowte and naggs ’’ to the men who rode the worst horses. 
Sir Thomas was a cool and wary soldier, and sent thirty of his 
best men to meet the Galloway men, should they attempt to cross 
the river. He himself, with a strong party, remained to guard 
the standard, keeping themselves in readiness, if need be, to 
‘succour their companions. The Galloway men, however, did not 
venture to cross the river. Galloway, at this period, according to 
Buchanan, was struck with such terror that its chiefs, partly 
afraid of being deserted by the other landholders, vied with each 
other who should be the first to adhere to the English Govern- 
ment. As Sir Herbert Maxwell, in his “ Dumfries and Gallo- 
way,’’ says, Kirkcudbright, deserted on every hand, was com- 
pelled to come into the King’s Grace, along with, among others, 
the Laird and Tutor of Bombie. The number of men accredited 
to Kirkcudbright was 36, and to the Tutor of Bombie 151. The 
