Page:Robert the Bruce and the struggle for Scottish independence - 1909.djvu/235

1313 A.D.] decision, Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, was appointed Captain-General in Scotland (September 14th); yet on October 6th the King gave instructions to Sir John de Segrave as Guardian of Scotland. Again, on December 20th, de Clifford received his commission as sole Warden until Easter, 1310, when de Segrave was again appointed, April 10th, with instructions to do all the harm he can to the enemy.

Nothing could suit Bruce's purpose so well as a hesitating policy on the part of England; nothing else could have saved him from the overwhelming superiority in resources of his enemy. As matters turned out, the King of Scots was able to enjoy some repose after his expedition to Argyll, broken only by a raid into Clydesdale, when he laid siege to the important castle of Rutherglen. This, however, he was obliged to abandon on the approach of the Earl of Gloucester.

Lord Hailes thinks it probable that a truce was concluded on February 16, 1309; but it must have been a short one, for in September King Edward invaded Scotland. He marched by a new and somewhat hazardous route, by way of Selkirk (September 21st), St. Boswells (21st), Roxburgh (23d to 28th), Biggar (October 1st to 14th), Lanark (15th), Renfrew (15th), Linlithgow (23d to 28th). Bruce's policy was to avoid an encounter, for he had not