1886-87] Faivside or Falside Castle. 75 



place, and that immediately ; so the warders at Fawside were 

 surprised and killed, and the gates and walls burned. The 

 Fawsidians, now thoroughly roused by so daring an act of 

 injustice, could stand matters no longer. Accordingly the 

 great bell was rung, and a council of war summoned : nothing 

 but the sound of the war-horn was heard. Arrangements being 

 settled, the next evening a strong select band was to be seen 

 emerging about midnight from the gates, and treading gently, 

 first to the east, and then, turning suddenly northwards, they 

 slipped down by the Whinney Loan. Evading, if possible, Dol- 

 phinston Tower, they arrive at Preston before ever those near at 

 hand knew of their presence. Having performed their murder- 

 ous purpose, they as quickly and quietly disappear. These were, 

 however, but the works of skirmishers, for on the next day both 

 parties ranged their respective hosts, and nothing was to be 

 heard but the noise of arms, each party thirsting for the other's 

 blood. Tlie Fawsidians, of course, were there to a man, led by 

 their old chieftain, whose lady (a warlike woman) was left in the 

 keep to defend it with the last drop of blood. It need not be 

 stated that the battle was a fierce one : the prejudices and feel- 

 ings engendered during the years gone by, with many raids and 

 incursions that had taken place during these times, all culmin- 

 ated here; a decisive blow was now to be given, and each 

 strove to give it. From east to west the forces came down 

 heavily on each other, until at one time it seemed as if the 

 Hamiltons were to have the worst of it. In time, after the 

 battle had been waged hot and sore without much difference 

 being made on the Preston side, Hamilton was seen to make 

 a move to the east from the thickest part, and gain some ground. 

 Old Fawside, anxious to meet him, pressed forward, and thus 

 isolated himself from his followers. He was slain, and they, 

 beholding their chief lying on the ground, fled. Thus the battle 

 was ended. But what about the result ? Had the cattle been 

 poisoned? No; the Fawsidian herd also took the same sick- 

 ness and died, and on proper inquiry being made, murrain was 

 found to be the cause. Thus if a little forethought had been 

 taken on both sides, and especially on that of the former, and 

 inquiry into the cause been made, much bloodshed might have 

 been saved, and the Laird of Fawside would have been spared 

 at least to die in a nobler cause. When the real cause had been 



