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CHAP. XIII.]

In the mean time the traitors came forward upon
Bruce, that they might assault him at once. The
King called out to them, and commanded them to
come no nearer, upon peril of their lives; but the
father answered with flattering words, pretending
great kindness, and still continuing to approach his
person. Then the King again called to them to
stand. "Traitors," said he, "ye have sold my life
for English gold; but you shall die if you come one
foot nearer to me." With that he bent the page's
bow; and as the old conspirator continued to ad-
vance, he let the arrow fly at him. Bruce was an
excellent archer; he aimed his arrow so well, that it
hit the father in the eye, and penetrated from that
into his brain, so that he fell down dead. Then the
two sons rushed on the King. One of them fetched
a blow at him with an axe, but missed his stroke,
and stumbled, so that the King with his great sword
cut him down before he could recover his feet. The
remaining traitor ran on Robert Bruce with his
spear; but the King, with a sweep of his sword, cut
the steel head off the villain's weapon, and then
killed him before he had time to draw his sword.
Then the little page came running, very joyful of his
master's victory; and the King wiped his bloody
sword, and looking upon the dead bodies, said,
"These might have been reputed three gallant men,
if they had resisted the temptation of covetousness.'
In the present day, it is not necessary that gene-
rals, or great officers, should fight with their own
hand, because they have only to direct their follow-
ers; their artillery and their soldiers shoot at the
enemy; and men seldom mingle together, and fight
hand to hand. But in the ancient times, kings and
great lords were obliged to put themselves into the
very front of the battle, and fight like ordinary men,
with the lance and other weapons. It was, there-
fore, of great consequence that they should be strong
men, and dexterous in the use of their arms. Robert
Bruce was so remarkably active and powerful, that
he came through a great many personal dangers, in
which he must otherwise have been slain. I will tell
you another of his adventures, which I think will

Douglas and my brother to revenge my death." The | and rocky banks. There was but one ford by which
and that ford was deep and narrow, so that two
boy was very sorry, for he loved his master; but he this river could be crossed in that neighbourhood,
was obliged to do as he was bidden.
men could scarcely get through abreast; the bank
on which they were to land on the other side was
Bruce caused his men to lie down to take some
steep, and the path which led upwards from the
water's edge, extremely narrow and difficult.
sleep, at a place about half a mile distant from the
river, while he himself, with two attendants, went
down to watch the ford, through which the enemy
must needs pass before they could come to the place
where King Robert's men were lying. He stood for
some time looking at the ford, and thinking how
easily the enemy might be kept from passing there,
providing it was bravely defended, when he heard at
a distance the baying of hounds, which was always
coming nearer and nearer. This was the blood-
hound which was tracing the King's steps to the
are sorely
ford where he had crossed, and the two hundred
Galloway men were along with the animal, and
guided by it. Bruce thought of going back to awaken
his men; but then he thought it might be some
shepherd's dog. "My men," he said,
tired; I will not disturb their sleep for the yelping of
a cur, till I know something more of the matter."
So he stood and listened; and by and by, as the cry
of the hound came nearer, he began to hear a tram-
pling of horses, and the voices of men, and the ring-
the enemy were coming to the river side. Then the
ing and clattering of armour, and then he was sure
King thought, "If I go back to give my men the
alarm, these Galloway men will get through the
So he looked again at the steep
ford without
opposition, and that would be a pity,
since it is a place so advantageous to make defence
against them."
path, and the deep river, and he thought it gave him
so much advantage, that he himself could defend the
passage with his own hand, until his men came to
assist him. His armour was so good and strong,
that he had no fear of their arrows, and therefore
the combat was not so very unequal as it must
have otherwise been. He therefore sent his follow-
ers to waken his men, and remained alone by the
bank of the river.

[graphic]

I will tell you another story of this brave Robert for story books, with this advantage, that they are Bruce during his wanderings. His adventures are as curious and entertaining as those which men invent The good King Robert Bruce, who was always all true. About this time, and when the Bruce was watchful and vigilant, had received some informa-yet at the head of but few men, Sir Aymer de Vation about the intention of this party to come upon lence, who was Earl of Pembroke, together with him suddenly and by night. Accordingly he quar- John of Lorn, came into Galloway, each of them tered his party of sixty men on the farther side of a being at the head of a large body of men. John of deep and swift-running river, that had very steep Lorn had a bloodhound with him, which it was said

had formerly belonged to Robert Bruce himself; and having been fed by the king with his own hands, it became attached to him, and would follow his footsteps any where, as dogs are well known to trace their masters' steps, whether they be bloodhounds or not. By means of this hound, John of Lorn thought he would certainly find out Robert Bruce, and take revenge on him for the death of his relation Comyn.

When these two armies advanced upon Robert Bruce, he at first thought of fighting with the English Earl, but becoming aware that John of Lorn was moving round with another large body to attack him in the rear, he resolved to avoid fighting at that time, lest he should be oppressed by numbers. For this purpose, the King divided the men he had with him, into three bodies, and commanded them to retreat by three different ways, thinking the enemy would not know which to pursue. He also appointed a place at which they were to assemble again. But when John of Lorn came to the place where the army of Bruce had been thus divided, the bloodhound took his course after one of these divisions, neglecting the other two, and then John of Lorn knew that the King must be in that party; so he also neglected the two other divisions of the Scots, and followed that which the dog pointed out, with all his men.

The King again saw that he was followed by a large body, and being determined to escape from them if possible, he made all the people who were with him disperse themselves different ways, thinking thus that the enemy must lose trace of him. Bruce kept only one man along with him, and that was his own foster-brother, or the son of his nurse. When John of Lorn came to the place where Bruce's companions had dispersed themselves, the bloodhound, after it had snuffed up and down for a little, quitted the footsteps of all the others, and ran barking upon the track of two men out of the number. Then John of Lorn knew that one of these two must needs be King Robert. Accordingly, he commanded five of his men that were speedy of foot to chase after him, and either make him prisoner or slay him. They started off accordingly, and ran so fast, that they gained sight of Robert and his foster-brother. The King asked his companion what help, he could give him, and his foster-brother answered he was ready to do his best. So these two turned on the five men of John of Lorn, and killed them all. It is to be supposed they were better armed than the others were, as well as more strong and desperate.

But by this time Bruce was very much fatigued, and yet they dared not sit down to take any rest; for whenever they stopt for an instant, they heard the cry of the bloodhound behind them, and knew by that, that their enemies were coming up, fast after them. At length, they came to a wood, through which ran a small river. Then Bruce said to his foster-brother, "Let us wade down this stream for a great way, instead of going straight across, and so this unhappy hound shall lose the scent; for if we were once clear of him, I should not be afraid of getting away from the pursuers." Accordingly, the King and his attendant walked a great way down the stream, taking care to keep their feet in the water, which could not retain any scent where they had stepped. Then they came ashore on the further side from the enemy, and went deep into the wood before they stopped to rest themselves. In the mean while, the hound led John of Lorn straight to the place where the King went into the water, but there the dog began to be puzzled, not knowing where to go next; for you are well aware that the running water could not retain the scent of a man's foot like that which remains on turf. So, John of Lorn seeing the dog was at a fault, as it is called, that is, bad lost the track of that which he pursued, he gave up the chase, and returned to join with Aymer de Valence.

But King Robert's adventures were not yet ended. His foster-brother and he had rested themselves in the woods, but they had got no food, and were become extremely hungry. They walked on, however, in hopes of coming to some habitation. At legnth, in the midst of the forest, they met with three men

that looked like thieves or ruffians. They were well armed, and one of them bore a sheep on his back, which it seemed as if they had just stolen. They saluted the King civilly; and he, replying to their salutation, asked them where they were going. The men answered, they were seeking for Robert Bruce, for that they intended to join with him. The King answered, that if they would go with him, he would conduct them where they would find the Scottish King. Then the man who had spoken,, changed countenance, and Bruce, who looked sharply at him, began to suspect that the ruffian guessed who he was, and that he and his companions had some design against his person, in order to gain the reward which had been offered for his life.

So he said to them, "My good friends, as we are not well acquainted with each other, you must go before us, and we will follow near to you."-"You have no occasion to suspect any harm from us," answered the man.-"Neither do I suspect any," said Bruce; "but this is the way in which I choose to travel."

12

The men did as he commanded, and thus they travelled till they came together to a waste and ruinous cottage, where the men proposed to dress some part of the sheep, which their companion was carrying. The King was glad to hear of food; but he insisted that there should be two fires kindled, one for himself and his foster-brother at one end of the house, the other at the other end for their three companions. The men did as he desired. They broiled a quarter of mutton for themselves, and gave another to the King and his attendant. They were obliged to eat it without bread or salt; but as they were very hungry, they were glad to get food in any shape, and partook of it very heartily.

Then so heavy a drowsiness fell on King Robert, that, for all the danger he was in, he could not help desiring to sleep. But first, he desired his fosterbrother to watch while he slept, for he had great suspicion of their new acquaintances. His fosterbrother promised to keep awake, and did his best to keep his word. But the king had not been long asleep ere his foster-brother fell in a deep slumber also, for he had undergone as much fatigue as the King. When the three villains saw the King and his attendant asleep, they made signs to each other, and rising up at once, drew their swords with the purpose to kill them both. But the King slept but lightly, and little noise as the traitors made in rising, he was awakened by it, and starting up, drew his sword, and went to meet them. At the same moment he pushed his foster-brother with his foot, to awaken him, and he started up; but ere he got his eyes cleared to see what was about to happen, one of the ruffians that were advancing to slay the King, killed him with a stroke of his sword. The King was now alone, one man against three, and in the greatest danger of his life; but his amazing strength, and the good armour which he wore, freed him once more from this great danger, and he killed the three men, one after another. He then left the cottage, very sorrowful for the death of his faithful fosterbrother, and took his direction towards the place where he had directed his men to assemble after their dispersion. It was now near night, and the place of meeting being a farm-house, he went boldly into it, where he found the mistress, an old true-hearted Scotswoman, sitting alone. Upon seeing a stranger enter, she asked him who and what he was. King answered that he was a traveller, who was journeying through the country.

"All travellers," answered the good woman, welcome here for the sake of one.

The

are

"And who is that one," said the King, "for whos sake you make all travellers welcome?"

"It is our lawful King, Robert the Bruce," answered the mistress, "who is the lawful lord of this country; and although he is now pursued and hunted after with hounds and horns, I hope to live to see him King over all Scotland.'

66

'Since you love him so well, dame," said the King, "know that you see him before you. I am Robert the Bruce."

4

"You!" said the good woman, in great surprise; and wherefore are you thus alone?-where are all your men ?"

"I have none with me at this moment," answered Bruce," and therefore I must travel alone."

often as the Scots attempted to recover their freedom. He thought that he had inflicted such distresses on the Scots, and invaded and defeated them so often, that his very dead bones would terrify them. His son, Edward the Second, did not choose to execute this strange injunction, but caused his father to be buried in Westminster Abbey; where his tomb is still to be seen, bearing this inscription, HERE LIES THE HAMMER OF THE SCOTTISH NATION. And, indeed, it was true, that during his life he did them as much af-injury as a hammer does to the substances which it dashes to pieces.

But that shall not be," said the brave old dame, "for I have two stout sons, gallant and trusty men, who shall be your servants for life and death."

So she brought her two sons, and though she well knew the dangers to which she exposed them, she made them swear fidelity to the King; and they terwards became high officers in his service.

Edward the Second was a weak prince, and neither so brave nor so wise as his father. He marched a little way into Scotland with the large army which Edward the First had collected, but went back again without fighting, which gave great encouragement to Bruce's party.

Now, the loyal old woman was getting every thing ready for the King's supper, when suddenly there was great trampling of horse heard round the house. They thought it must be some of the English, or John of Lorn's men, and the good-wife called upon her sons to fight to the last for King Robert. But shortly after, they heard the voice of the good Lord Several of the Scottish nobility now took arms, James of Douglas, and of Edward Bruce, the King's and declared for King Robert, and fought with the brother, who had come with a hundred and fifty English troops and garrisons. The most distinhorsemen to this farm-house, according to the in-guished of these was the good Lord James of Doustructions that the King had left with them at parting. glas, whom we have often mentioned before. Some Rexert the Bruce was right joyful to meet his of his most memorable exploits respected his own brother, and his faithful friend Lord James, and had castle of Douglas, in which, being a fortress, and to sooner found himself once more at the head of strongly situated, the English had placed a large such a considerable body of followers, than, forgetting garrison. James of Douglas saw, with great disbanger and weariness, he began to inquire where the pleasure, his castle filled with English soldiers, and enemy who had pursued them so long had taken up with great quantities of corn, and cattle, and wine, "for," said he, as they must suppose and ale and other provisions, which they were preas totally scattered and fled, it is likely that they will paring to enable them to assist the English army think themselves quite secure, and disperse them- with provisions. So he resolved, if possible, to be selves into distant quarters, and keep careless revenged upon the captain of the garrison and his watch." soldiers.

ther quarters;

"That is very true," answered James of Douglas, "for I passed a village where there are two hundred of them quartered, who had placed no sentinels; and if you have a mind to make haste, we may surprise them this very night, and do them more mischief than they have been able to do us during all this day's chase."

The consequence of those successes of King Robert were, that soldiers came to join him on all sides, and that he obtained several victories both over Sir Aymer de Valence, Lord Clifford, and other English commanders, until at length the English were afraid to venture into the open country as formerly, unless when they could assemble themselves in considerable bones. They thought it safer to lie still in the towns ani rasties which they had garrisoned, and wait till th: King of England should once more come to their

For this purpose, Douglas went in disguise to the house of one of his old servants, called Thomas Dickson, a strong, faithful, and bold man, and laid a scheme for taking the castle. A holiday was ap proaching, called Palm Sunday. Upon this day, it was common in the Roman Catholic times, that the people went to church in procession, with green Then there was nothing but mount and ride; and boughs in their hands. Just as the English soldiers, as the Scots came by surprise on the body of English who had marched down from the castle, got into whom Douglas had mentioned, and rushed suddenly church, one of Lord James's followers raised the cry into the village where they were quartered, they easily of Douglas, Douglas! which was the shout with dispersed and cut them to pieces; thus doing their which that family always began battle. Thomaspursuers more injury than they themselves had re- Dickson, and some friends whom he had collected, ved during the long and severe pursuit of the pre-instantly drew their swords, and killed the first Engcoding day. lishman that they met. But as the signal had been given too soon, Dickson was borne down and slain. Douglas and his men presently after forced their way into the church. The English soldiers attempted to defend themselves, but being taken by surprise and unprepared, they were, for the greater part, killed or made prisoners, and that so suddenly, and with so little noise, that their companions in the castle never heard of it. So that when Douglas and his men approached the castle gate, they found it open, and that part of the garrison which were left at home, busied cooking provisions for those that were at church. So Lord James got possession of his own castle without difficulty, and he and his men ate up all the good dinner which the English had made ready. But Douglas dared not stay there, lest the English should come in great force and besiege him; and therefore he resolved to destroy all the provisions which the English had stored up in the castle, and to render the place unavailing to them. It must be owned he executed this purpose in a very cruel and shocking manner, for he was much enraged at the death of Thomas Dickson. He caused all the barrels containing flour, meal, wheat, and malt, to be knocked in pieces, and their contents mixed on the floor; then he staved the great hogsheads of wine and ale, and mixed the liquor with the stores; and last of all, he killed his prisoners, and flung the dead bodies among this disgusting heap, which his men called, in derision of the English, the Douglas Larder. Then he flung dead horses into the well to destroy it-after which he set fire to the castle; and finally marched away, and took refuge with his followers in the hills and forests. than the mouse squeak." That is, he loved better "He loved better," he said, "to hear the lark sing

assistance.

CHAPTER VII.

Of the Exploits of Douglas and of Randolph.

Way King Edward the First heard that Scotland 32an in arms against him, he marched down to the Borders, as I have already told you, with many rests of what he would do to avenge himself on Brace and his party, whom he called rebels. But he

old and feeble, and while he was making 22 preparations, he was taken very ill, and after ng a long time, at length he died on the 6th Jy 1907, in full sight of Scotland, and not three from its frontier. His hatred to that country was inveterate, that his thoughts of revenge seered to occupy his mind on his death-bed. He e his son promise never to make peace with and until the nation was subdued. He gave Very singular directions concerning the disposal of his dead body. He ordered that it should be boiled a canidron till the flesh parted from the bones, and that then the bones should be wrapped up in a bull's de, and carried at the head of the English army, as

VOL. VI.-D

to keep in the open field with his men, than to shut in castles.

himself and them English General, heard what King was defeated at Methven, as I told you, Sir

When Clifford,

with the Bruce when he first took up arms. Afterwards being made prisoner by the English, when the Thomas Randolph was obliged to join the English to save his life. He remained so constant to them, that he was with Aymer de Valence and John of Lorn, when they forced the Bruce to disperse his litthe band; and he followed the pursuit so close that he made his uncle's standard-bearer prisoner, and took his banner. Afterwards, however, he was himself made prisoner at a solitary house on Linewater, by the Good Lord James Douglas, who brought him captive to the King, Robert reproached his nephew for having deserted his cause; and Randolph, who was very hot-tempered, answered insolently, and was sent by King Robert to prison. Shortly after the uncle and nephew were reconciled, and Sir Thomas Randolph created Earl of Murray by the King, was ever afterwards one of Bruce's best supporters. There was a sort of rivalry between Douglas and him, which should do the boldest and most hazardous actions. I will just mention one or two circumstances, which will show you what awful dangers were to be encountered by these brave men, in order to free Scotland from the enemies and invaders.

had happened, he came to Douglas Castle with a great body of men, and rebuilt all the defences which Lord James had destroyed, and cleared out the well, and put a good soldier, named Thirlwall, to command the garrison, and desired him to be on his guard, for he suspected that Lord James would again attack him. And indeed Douglas, who did not like to see the English in his father's castle, was resolved to take the first opportunity of destroying this garrison, as he had done the former. For this purpose he had recourse to stratagem. He laid a part of his followers in ambush in the wood, and sent fourteen men, disguised like countrymen, driving cattle past the gates of the castle. As soon as Thirlwall saw this, he swore that he would plunder the Scots drovers of their cattle, and came out, with a considerable part of his garrison, for that purpose. He had followed the cattle past the place where Douglas was lying concealed, when all of a sudden the Scotchmen threw off their carriers' cloaks, and appearing in armour, cried the cry of Douglas, and, turning back suddenly, ran to meet the pursuers; and before Thirlwall could make any defence, he While Robert Bruce was gradually getting posheard the same war-cry behind him, and saw Dou- session of the country, and driving out the English, glas coming up with those Scots who had been lying Edinburgh, the principal town of Scotland, remained in ambush. Thirlwall himself was killed, fighting with its strong castle in possession of the invaders. bravely in the middle of his enemies, and only a very Sir Thomas Randolph was extremely desirous to gain few of his men found their way back to the castle. this important place, but, as you well know, the casWhen Lord James had thus slain two English tle is situated on a very steep and lofty rock, so that commanders or governors of his castle, and was it is difficult or almost impossible even to get up to known to have made a vow that he would be re- the foot of the walls, much more to climb over them. venged on any one who should dare to take posses- So while Randolph was considering what was to sion of his father's house, men became afraid; and it be done, there came to him a Scottish gentleman was called both in England and Scotland, the Peril-named Francis, who had joined Bruce's standard, ous Castle of Douglas, because it was so dangerous and asked to speak with him in private. He then to any Englishman who was stationed there. Now, told Randolph that in his youth he had lived in the in those warlike times, Master Littlejohn, you must Castle of Edinburgh, and that his father had then know, that the ladies would not marry any man been keeper of the fortress. It happened at that time who was not very brave and valiant, so that a cow- that Francis was much in love with a lady who lived ard, let him be ever so rich or high-born, was held in in a part of the town beneath the castle, which is universal contempt. And thus it was the fashion for called the Grass-market. Now as he could not get the ladies to demand proofs of the courage of their out of the castle by day to see his mistress, he had lovers, and for those knights who desired to please practised a way of clambering by night down the the ladies, to try some extraordinary deed of arms, to castle crag on the south side, and returning up at his show their bravery and deserve their favour. pleasure: when he came to the foot of the wall he made use of a ladder to get over it, as it was not very high on that point, those who built it having trusted to the steepness of the crag. Francis had gone and come so frequently in this dangerous manner, that though it was now long ago, he told Randolph he knew the road so well, that he would undertake to guide a small party of men by night to the bottom of the wall, and as they might bring ladders with them, there would be no difficulty in scaling it. The great risk was, that of their being discovered by the watchmen while in the act of ascending the cliff, in which case every man of them must have perished.

At the time we speak of, there was a young lady in England, whom many knights and noblemen asked in marriage, because she was extremely wealthy and very beautiful. Once upon a holiday, she made a great feast, to which she asked all her lovers, and numerous other gallant knights; and after the feast she arose, and told them that she was much obliged to them for their good opinion of her, but as she desired to have for her husband a man of the most incontestible courage, she had formed her resolution not to marry any one, save him who should defend the Castle of Douglas against the Scots for a year and a day. Now this made some silence among the gentlemen present; for although the lady was rich and beautiful, yet there was great danger in placing themselves within the reach of the Good Lord James of Douglas. At last a brave young knight started up and said, that for the love of that lady he was willing to keep the Perilous Castle for a year and a day, if the King pleased to give him leave. The King of England was satisfied, and well pleased to get a brave man to hold a place so dangerous. Sir John Wilton was the name of this gallant knight. He kept the castle very safely for some time; but Douglas at last, by a stratagem, induced him to venture out with a part of the garrison, and then set upon them and slew them. Sir John Wilton himself was killed, and a letter from the lady was found in his pocket. Douglas was sorry for his unhappy end, and did not put to death any of the prisoners as he had formerly done, but dismissed them in safety to the next English garrison.

Other great lords besides Douglas were now exerting themselves to attack and destroy the English. Amongst those was Sir Thomas Randolph, whose mother was a sister of King Robert. He had joined

Nevertheless Randolph did not hesitate to attempt the adventure. He took with him only thirty men, (you may be sure they were chosen for activity and courage,) and came one dark night to the foot of the crag, which they began to ascend under the guidance of Francis, who went before them, upon his hands and feet, up one cliff, down another, and round another, where there was scarce room to support themselves. All the while these thirty men were obliged to follow in a line, one after the other, by a path that was fitter for a cat than a man. The noise of a stone falling, or a word spoken from one to another, would have alarmed the watchmen. They were obliged, therefore, to move with the greatest precaution. When they were far up the crag, and near the foundation of the wall, they heard the guards going their rounds, to see that all was safe in and about the castle, Randolph and his party had nothing for it but to lie close and quiet, each man under the crag, as he happened to be placed, and trust that the guards would pass by without noticing them. And while they were waiting in breathless alarm, they got a new cause of fright. One of the soldiers of the castle, willing to startle his comrades, suddenly threw a

CHAP. VII.]

SCOTTISH HISTORY.

stone from the wall, and cried out, "Aha, I see you well!" The stone came thundering down over the heads of Randolph and his men, who naturally thought themselves discovered. If they had stirred, or made the slightest noise, they would have been entirely destroyed, for the soldiers above might have killed every man of them, merely by rolling down stones. But being courageous and chosen men, they remained quiet, and the English soldiers, who thought their comrade was merely playing them a trick, (as, indeed, he was,) passed on, without farther examinThen Randolph and his men got up, and came in haste to the foot of the wall, which was not above twice a man's height in that place. They planted the ladders they had brought, and Francis mounted first to show them the way; Sir Andrew Grey, a brave knight, followed him, and Randolph himself was the third man who got over. Then the rest followed. When once they were within the walls, there was not so much to do, for the garrison were asleep, and unarmed, excepting the watch, who were speedily destroyed. Thus was Edinburgh Castle taken in the year 1312-13.

It was not, however, only by the exertions of great and powerful barons, like Randolph and Douglas, that the freedom of Scotland was to be accomplished. The stout yeomanry, and the bold peasantry of the land, who were as desirous to enjoy their cottages in honourable independence, as the nobles were to reclaim their castles and estates from the English, contributed their full share in the efforts which were made to deliver the country from the invaders. I will give you one instance among many.

There was a strong castle near Linlithgow, or Lithgow, as the word is more generally pronounced, where an English governor, with a powerful garrison, lay in readiness to support the English cause, and used to exercise much severity upon the Scottish in the neighbourhood. There lived at no great distance from this strong hold, a farmer, a bold and stout man, whose name was Binnock, or, as it is now pronounced, Binning. This man saw with great joy, the progress which the Scottish were making in recovering their country from the English, and resolved to do something to help his countrymen, by getting it were possible, of the Castle of Lithpossession, gow. But the place was very strong, situated by the side of a lake, defended not only by gates, which were usually kept shut against strangers, but also by a portcullis. A portcullis is a sort of door formed of cross-bars of iron, like a grate. It has not hinges like a door, but is drawn up by pulleys, and let down when any danger approaches. It may be let go in a moment, and then falls down into the door-way; and as it has great iron spikes at the bottom, it crushes all that it lights upon; and in case of a sudden alarm, a portcullis may be let suddenly fall to defend the entrance when it is not possible to shut the gates. Binnock knew this very well, but he resolved to be provided against this risk also when he attempted to surprise the castle.

So he spoke with some bold courageous country-
men, and engaged them in his enterprise, which he
accomplished thus.

Binnock had been accustomed to supply the garri-
son of Linlithgow with hay, and he had been ordered
by the English governor to furnish some cart loads,
of which they were in want. He promised to bring
it accordingly, but in the night before he drove the
hay to the castle, he stationed a party of his friends,
as well armed as possible, near the entrance, where
they could not be seen by the garrison, and gave
them directions that they should come to his assist-
ance as soon as they should hear him cry a signal,
which was to be,-" Call all, call all." Then he
loaded a great wagon with hay. But in the wagon
he placed eight strong men, well armed, lying flat
He himself walked
on their breasts, and covered over with hay, so
that they could not be seen.
carelessly beside the wagon; and he chose the stout-
est and bravest of his servants to be the driver, who
carried at his belt a strong axe or hatchet. In this way
Binnock approached the castle early in the morning;

and the watchman, who only saw two men, Binnock
being one of them, with a cart of hay, which they
expected, opened the gates, and raised up the port-
cullis to permit them to enter the castle. But as soon
as the cart had gotten under the gateway, Binnock
made a sign to his servant, who with his axe sud-
denly cut asunder the soam, that is, the yoke which
fastens the horses to the cart, and the horses finding
themselves free, naturally started forward, the cart
remaining behind. At the same moment Binnock
drawing his sword, which he had under his country
cried, as loud as he could, "Call all, call all;" and
habit, he killed the porter. The armed men then
jumped up from under the hay where they lay con-
cealed, and rushed on the English guard. The Eng-
lishmen tried to shut the gates, but they could not,
because the cart of hay remained in the gateway, and
prevented the folding-doors from being closed. The
portcullis was also let fall, but the grating was caught
on the cart, and so could not drop to the ground. The
men who were in ambush near the gate, hearing the
cry, "Call all, call all," ran to assist those who had
taken, and all the Englishmen killed or made prison-
leaped out from amongst the hay; the castle was
ers. King Robert rewarded Binnock by bestowing
on him an estate, which his posterity long afterwards
enjoyed.

Perhaps you may be tired, my dear child, of such
stories; yet I will tell you how the great and impor-
tant Castle of Roxburgh was taken from the Eng-
You must know, Roxburgh was then a very large
lish, and then we will pass to other subjects.
and the Teviot, join to each other. Being within five
castle, situated near where two fine rivers, the Tweed
or six miles of England, the English were extremely
desirous of retaining it, and the Scots equally so of
obtaining possession of it. I will tell you how it was
taken.

It was upon the night of what is called Shrove-
tide, a holiday which Roman Catholics paid great
respect to, and solemnized with much gayety and
feasting. Most of the garrison of Roxburgh Castle
were feasting and drinking, but still they had set
watches on the battlements of the castle, in case of
any sudden attack; for as the Scots had succeeded
in so many enterprises of the kind, and as Douglas
was known to be in the neighbourhood, they con-
There was also an English woman, the wife of one
ceived themselves obliged to keep a very strict guard.
of the officers, who was sitting on the battlements
with her child in her arms; and looking out on the
fields below, she saw some black objects, like a herd
of cattle, straggling near the foot of the wall, and
approaching the ditch or moat of the castle. She
pointed them out to the sentinel, and asked him
what they were.-"Pooh, pooh," said the soldier,
"it is farmer such a man's cattle," (naming a man
whose farm lay near to the castle;) "the good man
is keeping a jolly Shrovetide, and has forgot to shut
up his bullocks in their yard; but if the Douglas
his negligence." Now these creeping objects which
come across them before morning, he is likely to rue
they saw from the castle wall were no real cattle,
black cloaks above their armour, and were creeping
but Douglas himself and his soldiers, who had put
about on hands and feet, in order, without being
observed, to get so near to the foot of the castle wall
as to be able to set ladders to it. The poor woman,
who knew nothing of this, sat quietly on the wall,
and began to sing to her child. You must know
that the name of Douglas was become so terrible to
the English, that the women used to frighten their
children with it, and say to them when they behaved
ill, that they "would make the black Douglas take
them." And this soldier's wife was singing to her
child,

"Hush ye, hush ye, little pet ye,
Hush ye, hush ye, do not fret ye,
The Black Douglas shall not get ye."

"You are not so sure of that," said a voice close beside her. She felt at the same time a heavy hand, with an iron glove, laid on her shoulder, and when she looked round, she saw the very Black Douglas she had been singing about standing close beside

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