Page:History of the Black Douglas.pdf/3

 THE HISTORY

the annals of Scotland, no name has been more celebrated for valour and enterprise than that of. They themselves boast that their line is so ancient, that no person can point out the first man that originally elevated the family. "You may see us in the tree," they say, "you cannot discover us in the twig; you may see us in the stream, you cannot trace us to the fountain."

Historians however relate, that the family took its rise during the reign of one of the ancient kings of Scotland, and, at a time when the country was invaded by Donald Bain, Lord of the Western Isles. In a great battle with this powerful chieftain, the Scots were on the point of giving way, when a man of tall stature and noble aspect made his appearance, accompanied with his two sons. They boldly confronted the victorious enemy, and by words and example so encouraged those that fled, that the Scots took heart, and after a desperate struggle, Donald Bain was defeated and himself slain. After this unexpected victory, inquiry was made for the man who had performed this noble deed, when he was pointed out to the king as Sholto dhu glasse, which, in the Celtic tongue, means, "See yonder dark grey man."