Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

SLAUGUTKK OF SIR JAMES J0H^STO^'i:, 160S. cliii
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Variance, and I hoip now thai sail aggric " " Tlie lavd of Joliustouue,"
retorted Charles Maxwell in evident irritation, " is noclit able to mak anc
amendis for the great skayth and injurie he has done to thani." The other
answered coolly, "The lard will do to liio power to satisfie the lord and his
friends." Charles Maxwell, who was evidently determined to fasten a qnarrel
on his fellow-attendant, became so irritated in temper, that after several angry
expressions he fired liis pistol at 'William Johnstone and shot him through
the cloak. In return William Jolmstone attempted to fire off his pistol,
but it would not go off; whereupon he cried out, "Treason."
Sir iiobert, afraid of the consequences of tliis sudden attack, endeavoured
to seize the bridle of Lord Maxwell's horse, but missing it, caught hold of his
lordship's cloak, which lie held witli tlie design of restraining him from any
act of violence, and deprecatingly called out, " Fy !
my
lord, mak not your
self a tratouraud me baith." "I am wytless," responded Lord Maxwell. In
tlie meantime Sir James Johustone had ridden away, and was making for
the relief of his attendant, when Lord ilaxwell, bursting from the grasp of
Sir Eobert, hurried after Sir James and fired his pistol at him with fatal
- effect. Sir James was mortally wounded. He kept his seat on the palfrey
for a. short time, but the animal growing restive the girths broke, and Sir
James fell to the ground. lie again staggered to his feet, and while
"William Johnstone of Lockerbie, who had come to his liclp, was standing
beside him, Charles Maxwell again fired at them together. "William en-
deavoured to put hif. vrounded chief on horseback, but failing to do so set him
on the ground, and holding him up inquired what he had to say. Looking
up to heaven. Sir James said, " Lord have mercy on me !
on me 1
Christ have mercj'
I am deceived," and soon after expired. "Come away!" cried Lord
ilaxwell to Charles.
" ^My lord," answered Charles remorselessly, "will ye ride
away and leave this bloody thief behind you?" " What rak of him," said Lord
]\Iaxwell, as if his thirst for blood had been slaked by the death of the slayer
of his father, " for the other has enough." Tlien they rode away together.
VOL. I. U