The Laird of Cocklaws defends his castle against an English force. Gavin Ker supports him, but knows full well that Cocklaws's motives are as big a sham as the attack itself.

The one day of the year when all the cattle are sold and all the frustrations of winter life on the Borders are washed away in the strong ale in Hawick turns grimly sour when the borderers learn enough to believe that the cattle buyer is in league with Cessford to rob them of their living.

The gypsy way to win a wife was to snatch the desired lass from her home and kinfolk. When Agnes Ker catches the eye of Hector Faa, 'Lord and earl of Little Egypt', Gavin must fight Hector and Agnes herself to get her back

Cessford tries to marry off his troublesome ward to the son of Sir John Forster, the English Warden. The romance is complicated by a splendid Arab stallion, which nearly turns Cupid's arrows into the more lethal kind

Cessford's attempts to uncover a traitor at the Court of Queen Mary involve him in a charge of treason and win him an implacable enemy.

With high hopes of promotion Cessford journeys to Edinburgh only to find that he has swallowed several juicy baits on his way to dismissal and disgrace.

The Quacksalvers who trick their way into Slitrig and win the friendship and gratitude of the Kers are either to be pitied or helped, or rogues. Gavin Ker has to endure much before he finds out which.

Gavin Ker defends his bonded tenant against torture and a monstrous charge.

To win the return of his stolen beasts, Gavin Ker captures the son of the man who took them. The boy is to be hanged in three days if the beasts are not returned.

When Cessford's son William brings his betrothed to Cessford Castle he brings murder with him as well. But an old blind ballad singer and the clear eyes of Gavin Ker feel their way into the poisoner's mind.

Cessford cannon is the H-bomb of its time, but when the cannon comes to rest at the bottom of the Slitrig Loch the outlaws of Liddesdale don't know whether to cheer or cry.

To prevent a blood feud between the Kers of Slitrig and the Johnstones, a wrestling match is arranged in which each family will be represented by a chosen contestant. With Cessford to gain most in the middle, and the two families fighting to win or nobble each other's champion, it is a wonder the bout ever gets into the ring. But it does, and the honour of the Kers is satisfied at a terrible cost in blood.