12
THE HISTORY OF
placed in a hazardous situation-three against one but so heroically did he wield his trusty sword, that he slew the three villains, one after the other. The day being far spent he proceeded towards a farm-house, where he had arranged to meet his men after their dispersion. Arriving at the house he entered, and found the hostess, an old, true-hearted Scots woman, alone. Seeing a stranger enter, she inquired who and what he was. Bruce replied that he was a traveller who was passing through the country. "All travellers," said the old dame, are welcome here for the sake of one. "And who is that one," inquired Bruce, "for whom you make all travellers welcome" "It is Robert Bruce, our lawful king," replied the good old woman; "and although he is now pursued and hunted after with hounds and horns I trust I shall be spared to see him king over all Scotland. "Since you love Robert Bruce so well, good woman," replied the king," know that I am Robert Bruce." "You!" exclaimed the brave old lady; "and wherefore are you thus alone?-where are all your men?" "I have none with me just now, answered Bruce," and therefore I must travel alone." "That shall not be," said his brave hostess," for I have two stout and gallant sons, who shall be your servants for life or death." The loyal old dame, having made her sons swear fidelity to their king, was preparing his supper, when suddenly a great trampling of horses was heard, which they at first took to be some of the enemy; but when they hear the voice of Douglas and Edward Bruce, who had come with 150 horsemen, they rejoiced exceedingly. Bruce, being informed by Douglas that there were 200 English in a village that he passed, who kept no watch, rode off at the head his little army, and put the greater part of them to the sword that very night. Pembroke shortly afterwards retired with his whole forces towards England, and, after another disaster similar to that just mentioned, retreated to Carlisle.
Encouraged by suceess, Bruce ventured down upon the low country, and reduced the districts of Kyle, Carriek, and Cuninghame to his obedience. Pembroke determined again to take the field, and, putting himself at the head of a strong body of cavalry, he advanced into Ayrshire, and came up with the army of Bruce, when encamped on Louden Hill. Although Bruce's army was greatly inferior, and consisted wholly of infantry, he gave Pembroke battle; and so well did he conduct the conflict, that while the loss of the Scots was extremely small, Pembroke's whole forces were put to flight, a considerable number being slain, and many made prisoner. Three days after this, Bruce encountered Monthermer at the head of a considerable body of English, whom he also
