Page:History of the life and death, of the great warrior Robert Bruce.pdf/17

 17 freed from her oppressors, and Robert Bruce was once more an independent sovereign. But while the Scottish king was thus victori- ous over the English, Edward was actively pre- paring for another invasion, on a scale of such magnitude as plainly showed how incensed and mortified he was at the determined opposition of the Scottish nation. In the mean time the English retained posses- sion of no place of importance, except the castle of Stirling. In this castle there was a consider- able garrison, commanded by a very brave knight, Sir Philip Moubray. This stronghold being con- sidered of great importance, Robert was very anxious to reduce it, and intrusted the siege of it to his brother Edward, in those skill and valour he put every trust. Moubray had made prepar- ation for a stout defence; but as he knew the de- termined perseverance of the king's brother, he proposed to deliver the fortress into his hands on a given day, at the distance of seven months, provided no succour should in that interval arrive from the English king, his master,--a stipulation to which Edward agreed. When this transac- tion was made known to Bruce, he was very much displeased at so rash and imprudent a bar- gain; but being too honourable to break the treaty, he chose the only alternative he now had,