Page:History of the life and death, of the great warrior Robert Bruce.pdf/11

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in the castle of Roxburgh; not a few who had favourd Robert's cause were beheaded, and many of inferior rank suffered on the gallows; and, to complete the measure of the severities exereised against the Seots, the pope's legate at Carlisle at Edward's instigation, passed sentence of ex- communieation against Bruce and all who should remain faithful to his eause,--a dreadful sentence in those days, which never failed to carry along with it the deepest awe and alarm. Bruce sent over Sir James Douglas and Sir Robert Boyd to attempt a fort on the isle of Ar- ran, then oceupied by the English. Their suc- cess was complete; on learning which Robert immediately followed them. It was then con- certed that their next endeavour should be to re- cover possession of the distriet of Carrick, in Ayrshire, in which Bruce's patrimonial domains lay. With this intent, Cuthbert, a confidential servant, was sent over with instruetions, that, if the people were favourable, he should display a light from an eminence above the castle of Turn- berry. Cuthbert found matters in the very worst state. The English held possession of all the places of importance, and so overawed were the people by their power and severity, that they were, for the most part, either indifferent or hostile to any ef- forts on behalf of Robert.