" With these
words they encountered fiercely, till Angus, with one blow, severed
the thigh of his antagonist, who died upon the spot. The earl then
addressed the attendant of Kilspindie: "Go thy way: tell my gossip,
the king, that here was nothing but fair play. I know my gossip will
be offended; but I will get me into Liddisdale, and remain in my
castle of the Hermitage till his anger be abated."--_Godscroft_,
Vol. II. p. 59. The price of the earl's pardon seems to have been the
exchange mentioned in the text. Bothwell is now the residence of Lord
Douglas. The sword, with which Archibald, _Bell-the-Cat_, slew Spens,
was, by his descendant, the famous Earl of Morton, presented to Lord
Lindsay of the Byres, when, about to engage in single combat with
Bothwell, at Carberry-hill--_Godscroft_, Vol. II. p. 175.]
Nor did James fail in affording his subjects on the marches marks
of his royal justice and protection. [Sidenote: 1510] The clan of
Turnbull having been guilty of unbounded excesses, the king came
suddenly to Jedburgh, by a night march, and executed the most rigid
justice upon the astonished offenders. Their submission was made with
singular solemnity. Two hundred of the tribe met the king, at the
water of Rule, holding in their hands the naked swords, with which
they had perpetrated their crimes, and having each around his neck the
halter which he had well merited.
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