Page:Life and adventures of Sir Wm. Wallace.pdf/17

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the assuring of King Edward’s conquest; new ene- mies arising whence he least expected; for as he re- turned from his last journey into Scotland John Cum- ming and Robert Bruce meeting together after a long conference on the state of their country, perceived, that notwithstanding he had promised each of them apart his help to obtain the crown of Scotland, yet his intention was only to use their assistance to con- quer and secure it to himself, as he well declared by spoiling the country of all monuments, public and private.—Hereupon they agreed that Cuming should quit all his rights to the crown in favour of Bruce, and that Bruce should give him all his lands for his assistance, and this contract was written and sealed by both parties.

Upon this Bruce, watching an opportunity to rise in arms, left his wife and children in Scotland, and went to the court of England.

After his departure, Cumming, (as it is reported) either repenting himself of this agreement, or else endeavouring fradulently to oppose his co-rival, and so obtain an easier way to the kingdom, revealed their secret combination to Edward ; and in evidence of it, he sent him the covenant signed by them both—Upon that, Bruce was impeached as guilty of high treason ; he was forbidden to depart the Court, and a private guard set over him, to inspect his words and actions. The King’s delay to punish him for a crime so mani- fest, proceeded from a desire he had to take his breth- ren too, before they had heard any noise of his exe- cution.

Bruce advertised of his danger by the Earl of Glo- cester (some call him the Earl of Montgomery) his old friend who had sent him a pair of sharp spurs, and some crowns of gold, as if he had borrowed the