130 TWO CHAPTERS ILLUSTRATIVE OF 



might the more easily reconcile them. Murray havinge heard the 

 message, simplie heleeved the same, and the messenger knowinge 

 nothinge of the fraude, they came back togeather to a part in the 

 princie of fytt, called Dunebursell, which Murray had chosen for his 

 residence, where my Lord Ochiltry departed from him toward the 

 court to advertise the kynge and the chancellor of the suddaine 

 ohegdance that Murray made, hut immediately after the kynge by 

 instigation of his Chancellor Maitland, sent commission to all boitts 

 of the queen's ferrie, on back the bords of the river Forth to be all 

 in readines on the south side of the river against the 7th day of 

 February. Thus as the purpose was devised by the said Chancellor 

 and Huntlie, the boates were all readie by commande of the king's 

 letter, and received Huntly, whoe immediately withall expedition 

 and diligence passed the river with horse and men saflie, and after 

 that passed towards the house of Dunebursill where Murray with 

 his mother and quiet household were remayninge for the tyme, ac- 

 companied with the Sheriffe of Murray, and there with fire and 

 sworde destroyed him to the death, and then went his way north- 

 ward. After this the good ladie of Dun, mother to Murray, caused 

 his corps to embalmed with the corps of the said Sheriffe, who was 

 killed with him, and were carryed to Leith ; after that shee demanded 

 justice of the kynge, whoe promised it should be obtayned. Huntly 

 was committed to prison, but privilie was assured that hee should 

 not bee hurt, as the end declared, for although he entred into the 

 castell of Blacknes, the 12th day of March, hee was remitted upon 

 the 20th of the same month, express against all justice or equitie, 

 and in particular against the common laws of Scotland. The knight 

 of Caddell was alsoe killed treasonable in the north. At this fact the 

 ministrie and nobillitie were offended in hearte, both against the 

 Prince and his Chancellor, and in speciall, the Earle of Atholl was 

 soe moved, that he made warrs against Huntly, and that by the spe- 

 ciall instigation of Malcolme Tosh, a man unconstant, false, and 

 double minded by the report of all men." 



Are there, however, any who will not believe that such fell and 

 implacable hatred had taken possession of James' heart, that he 

 could be accessary either directly or remotely to an act upon which 

 all must look with horror — the murder of a young nobleman of the 

 most promising virtues, the heir of the regent, Murray, and the dar- 

 Jing of the nation ?* They will readily be disposed to receive the 



* Matchless for beauty as valour, to the former gift he is said to have 



owed the loss of his life See Douglas's Peerage of Scotland, vol. ii, p. 258. 



There is a Scottish ballad extant which, beginning with these words, 



