Page:Robert the Bruce and the struggle for Scottish independence - 1909.djvu/231

1313 A.D.] carrying all before him in Galloway. This prince seems to have had the gifts of physical strength, military capacity, and the art of inspiring enthusiasm in a degree only second to the King himself.

The English commanders in Galloway were Sir Ingelram de Umfraville, kinsman of the murdered Comyn and brother of the Earl of Angus, and Sir John de St. John (not "schir Amy of Sancte Johne" as Barbour has it). Sir Ingelram was of such high renown in chivalry that he was distinguished wherever he went by a red cap, borne before him on a spear point. Edward de Brus entering Galloway from the north by the passes from Ayrshire, encountered and defeated these two commanders somewhere on the Cree (probably on the favourite camping-ground which now forms Kirouchtrie park), and forced them to retire to Buittle castle. St. John went to England for reinforcements and returned with 1500 horse, determined to disperse de Brus's band. Edward de Brus, however, got timely warning of his approach, and disposing his infantry in ambush in a deep glen, rode out to reconnoitre with some fifty light horse. Sir Alan de Cathcart, who was present with de Brus in this affair,