Page:History of King Robt. Bruce (1).pdf/10

10 the others. Being dismayed at so unexpected and fatal a reception, they fell back for a moment in some confusion; but ashamed that so many should be baffled by the prowess of one man, furiously returned to the attack. They were, however, so valiantly repulsed by Bruce that the post was still maintained; and at length the loud shout of the king's party, advancing to his rescue, warned the enemy to retire, after sustaining in this unexampled conflict the loss of 14 men. The danger to which Bruce had been exposed, and the bravery which he had shewn on this occasion, inflamed the spirits of his party, and gained many to his standard of liberty.

Bruce required all the aid he could receive; for Sir Aymer de Valence, who was Earl of Pembroke, the English guardian, was already advancing upon him with a large body of men, having also obtained the assistance of John of Lorn, whose followers were well aequainted with that species of irregular warfare to which the king was obliged to have recourse. John of Lorn had with him a bloodhound, which was said once to have belonged to Bruce, and was so familiar with his scent, that if once it got upon his track, nothing could divert it from its purpose. By means of this hound, John of Lorn thought he would certainly accomplish the destruction of the Scottish king. When these two armies advanced upon Bruce, he at first determined to fight the Earl of Pembroke; but, understanding that Lorn was with a numerous party moving round to attack him in the rear, he resolved to retreat, fearing to engage with such unequal numbers. He therefore divided his adherents into three divisions, commanding them to retreat by as many ways, imagining the enemy would be baffled which to pursue; appointing at the same time where they were to meet again. When John of Lorn arrived at the spot where the king had divided his men, the bloodhound pursued Bruce's division, which convinced Lorn which to follow, neglecting the other two parties of the Scots. Bruce, observing he was still pursued by a large body, desired all his party to take different ways, thinking by this means to stagger his pursuers, he taking with him one companion, who was his own foster-brother. Arriving at the place where Bruce's men had dispersed themselves, the bloodhound followed Bruce and his foster-brother. Lorn accordingly commanded five of his men, who were swift of foot, to pursue the king, and either slay or take him prisoner. They ran so fast that they were soon in sight of Bruec, who, when he observed, along with his foster-brother, turned upon them, and slew them all. Bruce and his companion were very much fatigued by this time, yet they