lords, we have advanced fo near to the Englifh that we have fully reconnoitred them: we can tçll yog, they are waiting for you, drawn up in two handfome battalions, on the plain before the town : each battalion may confift of five thoufand men : you will therefore confider this well. Wç approached them fo clofe that they knew us for Scots fcouts ; but they made not the fmalkft attempt to break their line to purfue us,' When fir Archibald Douglas ajid the Scots knights heard thi$ account, they were quite me-lancholy, and faid -, 1 We cannot think it will be any way profitable for u$*to advance further to meet the Englifh ; for they are ten to one, and all tried men : we may lofe more than we can gain : and a foolifh enterprize is never good, and fuch is what Alexander Ram fay has performed.' Sir William Lindfay, a valiant knight and uncle to Alexander Ramfay, took great pains to perfuade them to fuccour his nephew, faying y 1 Gentle-men, my nephew, in confidence of your afliftance, has performed this gallant deed, and taken Berwick çaftle. It will turn to your great fhame, if he fhould be loft, and none of our family in future will thus boldly adventure diemfelvcs..' Thofe prefent anfwered, c That they, could not ^mend it, and that the many gallant men who weçe there could not be expeûed to rifk th,eir own de-finition in the attempt to prevent a fingie fquire from being made prifoner/ It was therefore de-termined to retreat further up in their own country Z 4 among 343