Page:History of the Black Douglas.pdf/6

Rh of the Black Douglas. He was also said to be modest and gentle in times of peace, but had a very different countenance in the day of battle.

The efforts of Bruce with his few adherents were for some time unsuccessful; and he himself, with his Queen and her ladies, and a few others, were obliged to take refuge among the Highland mountains.

Chased from one place to another, they were often in great danger, and reduced to great straits from the want of victuals. Young Douglas, it was remarked, was the most active in procuring supplies, from his great dexterity in hunting and fishing, King Robert at last succeeded in procuring a place of refuge for his Queen, and afterwards, with Lord Douglas and some other followers, determined to seek refuge in the Western Isles.

Leaving, therefore, their place of retreat, a cave on the banks of Loch Lomond, now known by the name of Rob Roy's cave, they crossed the lake of that name in a crazy boat, which was rowed by Douglas, whose activity and resources surmounted every difficulty

Having reached the Western Isles in safety, they remained there for the winter. In the following spring, nothing daunted by their ill success, young Douglas, with a small body of men, made a descent upon the island of Arran, and took the castle by stratagem. King Robert followed with all the men he could muster; and while he wandered through the island in search of his friends, repeatedly blew his horn. When Sir James Douglas heard Bruce's horn, he knew the