Death of De la Beaute. By George Muirhead. 105 



strike terror into the enemy. His followers did not amount to 

 more than eighteen horsemen, being those only who had come 

 with him, the matter being as yet unknown to his vassals, but 

 who, he did not doubt, would speedily rush to the tumult. De 

 la Bastie had five hundred men along with him, partly French, 

 partly Scotch from Tiviotdale and the Merse, who were there 

 either attending on their own affairs, or had come to do him 

 honour ; some young men from Lothian were also present. The 

 Merse men, on seeing how matters stood, either openly joined 

 Wedderburn, or slipped off home, while those of Tiviotdale 

 gradually withdrew themselves. Mark Carr of Littledean alone 

 hesitated, and having seized David's reins, intreated him to 

 make no attempt on De la Bastie, as this would bring disgrace 

 on him as being one of his attendants. But when he saw that 

 David continued in his purpose, and threatened him with his 

 sword to make him drop the reins, he let go, and without delay 

 joined the party which was setting out for Tiviotdale. When 

 De la Bastie saw this, he courteously called David to him, made 

 excuses for speaking so roughly, blamed his anger, acknowledged 

 that he had hastily and rashly spoken something which he was 

 sorry for, and wished unsaid ; still it was not of much conse- 

 quence, and if David would cease from his wrath, they would 

 agree about the rest. But in vain, for David considered that he 

 had gone too far to retreat with safety, and began to upbraid 

 him on account of the death of his relative. The Frenchman, 

 when he saw that the Scotch quitted him ; that he was left alone 

 with his French followers, that the number of the enemy in- 

 creased, and that no other hope remained, took to flight. He 

 rode a very swift horse which had belonged to Alexander Home, 

 and which had he been saddled in the Scotch manner, it is 

 generally believed would have carried him off, but being over- 

 burdened with trappings of great weight, and unaccustomed to 

 French furniture, he was unable to proceed at full speed. He 

 set off however, and reached the ford, called "Cornifurd," halfway 

 between Langton and Dunse before those who came from Lang- 

 ton could arrive to prevent his passage. He then continued his 

 course through the middle of Dunse, the others following at 

 some distance, whilst one Dickson, (or as others call him Trotter) 

 one of David's pages, who had been left at home, but hearing 

 the tumult, had lept upon one of his master's horses, and galloped 

 from Wedderburn, was close upon him, and threatened him at 

 



