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.
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.
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.
The borders in the sixteenth century were a man's world. Woman's true position was not that much higher than cattle. But one woman, 'the wee daftie', forces several men to change their opinions.
Gavin Ker defends his bonded tenant against torture and a monstrous charge.
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.
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.
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.