A Douglas! A Douglas! by P M Kane

Author:P M Kane [KANE, PATRICK M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781412222419
Publisher: Trafford Publishing
Published: 2012-07-05T00:00:00+00:00

18

SOUTHERN RAIDS

WITH EDWARD II SHOWING less concern about the affairs of Scotland than his cruel father, and preoccupied with internal strife amongst his own English nobles, the people of Scotland enjoyed several years free from the invasions and cruel persecution of past years. There were, however, many cross-border raids and subsequent counter-attacks that forced Douglas and his men always to be on the alert.

Lintalee had proved to be the ideal location. Many a band of enemy invaders were ambushed as they passed through the dark gorge. Many a wagon was plundered, the rich rewards once again being distributed amongst the local people. Occasionally one of Douglas’s men would head north with a purse of money; there were two delivery points, one was Blackhouse Tower and the other was wherever King Robert the Bruce was residing.

Douglas was comfortable at Lintalee; this place had proved to be a good choice of base, central and within easy access for most of the key towns. He had sheltered in the deepcave above the gorge for the first few months but now its strategic position was used to provide a safe lookout point for his men, who watched all comings and goings.

Douglas and his men built a small shelter in the thick forest that flanked the west side of the Jed gorge. This shelter served their needs well and kept out the rain and bitterly cold winter winds that swept across the land. The shelter became the control centre for all of their activities.

A few miles to the north of Douglas’s camp was the splendid abbey of Jedburgh, a magnificent place of holy worship that stood tall and proud, proclaiming its message of love and peace across these lands. Lone visitors could regularly be seen quietly coming and going as news and tidings of recent happenings were exchanged between the places of sanctuary.

One such messenger was Brother Michael from Melrose Abbey who wished to meet with one of the Jedburgh monks. A few hours later, under cover of darkness, a monk quietly left the abbey and made his way along the short distance south to Lintalee. Douglas and his men had eaten well and were now resting. ‘It’s your brother,’ declared the guard to Robert Hall. ‘Good evening, my dear brother, I have news for Douglas,’ announced the monk.

‘What news do you bring my good friend?’ asked Douglas.

‘I have a message from our King. He wishes to meet with you as soon as possible,’ answered the monk.

‘Do you know why?’ asked Douglas.

‘I believe that he is immensely pleased with what you and your men have achieved and I suspect that he may have a specific task that he would request of you.’

‘Where have I to meet with him?’ asked Douglas. The monk leaned over and quietly whispered the name of the secret location in the ear of Douglas.

Several days later Douglas and a small band of his most loyal men arrived at a place somewhere near Dumbarton. Since Douglas had received the message to meet

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