Page:History of the life and death, of the great warrior Robert Bruce.pdf/6

 pale and trembling, where he met two of his friends, Lindsay and Kirkpatrick. They having questioned him as to the cause of his agitation, Bruce replied, "It fares ill; I doubt I have slain Comyn." "You doubt," cried Kirkpatrick; "I will secure him!" So saying he rushed into the church, and plunged his dagger into Comyn's heart. It was perhaps fortunate that Bruce had no time to brood over what had happened, but required immediate action to secure his personal safety. He threw himself on Comyn's horse, and collecting his small band of friends around him, suddenly rode to the castle where the English judges were then sitting, and seizing the gates, summoned all the Scots to his assistance. He then sent word to the judges to surrender themselves, but found the gates of the court barricaded; fire was instantly brought to burn them out; and, afraid of being destroyed, they surrendered, and were permitted to flee to England.

The nation being generally inclined in Robert's favour, and having besides the support of the most of the nobles, his cause daily gained new friends and greater strength; so that in the course of a few weeks from his flight from London he was crowned king, with all due solemnity, at the royal palace of Scone, near Perth.

Nothing could exceed the rage of Edward when informed of this event. He instantly levied