Page:Life of King Robert Bruce.pdf/6



6         LIFE OF KINO ROBERT BRUCE.

revenged on Bruce and his followers. The com- mencement of Bruce's undertakings was most un- favourable. Two months after he was crowned he       was completely defeated at Methven, near Perth; and his horse having been killed under him in the action, he was made prisoner by a Scottish knight, who, though he served in the English army, did not wish any harm to Bruce, and allowed him to escape. After the defeat at Methven, Bruce, with a few adherents, retired to the highland mountains, where they were placed in great danger, and endured many hardships. Bruce’s wife, with several ladies, ac- companied her consort and his little band during their wanderings. Driven from one place in the highlands to another, Bruce attempted to force his way into Lorn; but the M‘Dougals, then called lords of Lorn, were friendly to Edward, and, putting their men in arms, attacked and defeated Bruce at       a place called Dairy. Having directed his men to       retreat through a narrow pass, Bruce placed himself last of the party, and fought with and slew such of       the enemy as pressed hard on them. Three of the M‘Dougals, a father and two sons, all strong men, seeing Bruce protecting the retreat of his men, vowed that they would either kill or make him pris- oner, and the whole three rushed on the king at       once. The first man that seized his reins, Bruce struck such a blow with his sword as cut off his hand, and freed the bridle; the other brother seized him by the leg, and attempted to unhorse him, but the king, setting spurs to his steed, made the animal suddenly spring forward, so that the Highlander fell under the horse’s feet, and, as he was endea- vouring to rise, the king cleft his head in two. The father, seeing the melancholy fate of his two sons, flew at the king, and grasped him by the mantle so