Two days before the day fixed for the council he called Cluny Campbell and another lad named Jock Farrel to him.

“I have a most important mission for you,” he said.  “You have heard of the coming council at Ayr.  I wish to find out if any evil is intended by the governor.  For this purpose you two will proceed thither.  You Cluny will put on the garments which you brought with you; while you Jock had best go as his brother.  Here is money.  On your way procure baskets and buy chickens and eggs, and take them in with you to sell.  Go hither and thither among the soldiers and hear what they say.  Gather whether among the townspeople there is any thought that foul play may be intended by the English.  Two of the band will accompany you to within a mile of Ayr, and will remain there in order that you may from time to time send news by them of aught that you have gathered.  Remember that the safety of Wallace, and with it the future of Scotland, may depend upon your care and vigilance.  I would myself have undertaken the task; but the Kerrs are now, I hear, in Ayr, and a chance meeting might ruin all; for whatever the truce between English and Scotch, they would assuredly keep no truce with me did they meet me.  Mind, it is a great honour that I have done you in choosing you, and is a proof that I regard you as two of the shrewdest of my band, although the youngest among them.”

Greatly impressed with the importance of their mission, the lads promised to use their utmost vigilance to discover the intentions of the governor; and a few minutes later, Cluny being attired in his sister’s clothes, and looking, as Archie laughingly said, “a better looking girl than she was herself,” they started for Ayr, accompanied by two of their companions.  They were to remain there until the conclusion of the council, but their companions would be relieved every six hours.  Upon their way they procured two baskets, which they filled with eggs and chickens; and then, leaving their comrades a mile outside Ayr, fearlessly entered the town.

The council was to take place in a large wooden building some short distance outside the town, which was principally chosen because it was thought by the governor that the Scotch gentlemen would have less reluctance to meet him there than if they were asked to enter a city with a strong garrison of English.

The first day the lads succeeded in finding out nothing which could give any countenance to suspicion that treachery was intended.  They had agreed to work separately, and each mingled among the groups of citizens and soldiers, where the council was the general topic of conversation.  There was much wonder and speculation as to the object for which the governor had summoned it, and as to the terms which he might be expected to propound, but to none did the idea of treachery or foul play in any way occur; and when at night they left the town and sent off their message to Archie, the lads could only say that all seemed fair and honest,