LINTALEE GLEN 203 



of his forces to tlie best advantage. Knowing that Richmond 

 must advance through a narrow pass where at oiie point there 

 was not "ane penny-stane cast of bred," he plaited the 

 young Birches which grew there in great abundance, making it 

 practically unapproachable. His archers were placed on one 

 side, while he and his men took up a position on the other. 

 On the approach of the English force Douglas raised his 

 battle cr}", which w.Ts the signal for his archers to shoot, 

 while he himself with great dash and vigour fell upon the 

 English host. Completely taken aback the enemy became 

 disorganized, and when their leader, Richmond, fell stabbed to 

 the heart by the dagger of Douglas, their discomfiture became 

 complete. On the top of his helmet Richmond wore a furred 

 cap said to be indicative of his connection with the ducal 

 house of Brittany. Taking this with him as a trophy Douglas 

 retired to the more secure parts of the forest, and the remainder 

 of the English army retreated. While the skirmish had been 

 proceeding a priest named Ellis with some 300 men had 

 foi-ced his way to the place where Douglas had prepared 

 himself against a siege. Setting themselves to enjoy the good 

 things prepared for others, they were in the midst of their 

 feasting when the S(;ots assailed them with such severity that 

 hardly one escaped to tell the tale. So weirdly did the 

 survivors paint the picture to the remainder of the English 

 army, that they deemed it prudent to leave the forest standing, 

 and as soon as possible find their way back to theii- own 

 country. 



