Page:History of King Robt. Bruce (1).pdf/9

 9 KING ROBERT BRUCE. and inform the brave Douglas and my brother to revenge my death." The traitors advanced upon Bruce, that they might dispatch him at once. “Come no nearer," cried Bruce, "upon the peril of your lives." But the old conspirator answered him with smooth words, pretending great kindness, and still continuing to approach him. "Traitors!" cried Bruce," you have sold my life for English gold; but advance one step nearer, and you perish.” As the old villain continued to advance, Bruce, who was an excellent archer, let fly the arrow, which penetrated his brain, and he immediately died. The two sons now rushed upon Bruce, one of whom aimed a blow at him with his axe, but, missing his stroke, he stumbled, and the king cut him down ere he could recover his feet. The other son ran on Bruce with his long spear, but, with a dash of his sword, the king cut off the steel head of the villain's weapon, and laid him prostrate on the ground. “These might have heen reputed three gallant men," said Bruce to his page," had they resisted the sin of covetousness."

Bruce, having slain these three traitors, continued to wander among the fastnesses of Carrick and in the neighbouring country of Galloway with his hardy band, which did not amount to more than 60 men. The people of Galloway, living under the government of one M'Dougal, related to the Lord of Lorn, who defeated Bruce at Dalry, and very nearly killed or made him prisoner, hearing that he was in their country, collected 200 men, with bloodhounds to trace the fugitives through the forests and morasses. Notwithstanding the secrecy of their preparations, Bruce received intelligence of his danger, and towards night withdrew his men to a position where there was on the one side a morass, and on the other a rivulet which had only one narrow ford, over which the enemy must necessarily pass. Leaving his followers about half a mile distant from the river to take a little sleep, Bruce proceeded with two attendants to the ford, where the approaching yell of the bloodhounds soon fell upon his ears, followed by the voices of men urging it forward. The bloodhounds, ever true to their nature, led the Galloway men directly to the ford where the king stood, who, fearing the destruction of his whole party should the enemy gain the ford, boldly resolved to defend it alone. The Gallovideans finding on their arrival but one individual posted on the opposite side to dispute their way, the foremost of their party rode boldly forward; but, in attempting to reach the other side of the stream, Bruce, with a thrust of his spear, laid him dead on the spot. The same fate was shared by four of his companions, whose bodies became a sort of rampart against