Page:History of the life and death, of the great warrior Robert Bruce.pdf/4

 perseverance. He at that time, like many other of the Scottish nobility, resided in London. While there he secretly made proposals to Comyn, who was well aware of his rights, for the purpose of recovering of the Scottish crown. Comyn appeared to enter into his views, and arrangements, either proposed or seconded by him, with a view to Bruce's recall to the throne of his ancestors, had proceeded to considerable maturity when the perfidy of Comyn was made known to Bruce by Edward's upbraiding him with a design upon Scotland. He even shewed him one of Comyn's letters.

Bruce, though startled by the announcement and enraged at the treachery of his confidant, had presence of mind enough to subdue his emotions, and answered the English king in so mild and prudent a manner that he appeared satisfied. But he only dissembled his resentment.

One evening, not long after, Edward was so imprudent while heated with wine, as to disclose his intentions respecting Bruce, and even named the following day for putting him to death, when the Earl of Gloucester, who was a friend of Bruce, immediately made him aware of his danger by sending him at midnight, by a servant, a pair of spurs and a piece of money. Bruce understood the hint. As there was at the time a fall of snow, he caused his horse and those of two attendants