KING ROBERT BRUCE.
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days, when they came in sight of the enemy. The Scots were advantageously posted on a rising ground, having the river Wear in front, and their flanks secured by rocks and precipices. The English dismounted and advanced, hoping to allure the Scots from their strong post, but in vain. Edward then sent a herald to Randolph and Douglas, with a message in the style of chivalry: "Either," said he, "suffer me to pass the river, and leave me room for ranging my forces; or do you pass the river, and I will leave you room to range yours; and thus shall we fight on equal terms." To this the Seottish commanders replied, "We will do neither. On our road hither we have burnt and spoiled the country, and here we are fixed while to us it seems good; and if the king of England is offended, let him eome over and chastise us."
The armies continued in the sight of each other for two days; after which, the English, understanding that their enemies were distressed for provisions, resolved to maintain a close-blockade, and to reduce them by fanine. Next day, however, they were surprised to find that the Scots had secretly deeamped, and taken up their post two miles up the river in ground still stronger, and of more difficult access, amidst a great wood. The English encamped opposite to them near Stanhope Park. At midnight, Douglas undertook a most desperate enterprise, resembling those of ancient heroes. With 200 horsemen he approached the English camp, and entered it under the guise of a chief commander calling the rounds. Having thus eluded the sentinels, he passed on to the royal quarters, overthrew everything that opposed him, and furiously assaulted the king's tent. The domestics of Edward desperately defended their master; and his chaplain, with many others of his household, were slain. However, the king himself escaped; and Douglas, disappointed of his prey, rushed through the enemy, and effected a retreat with ineonsiderable loss. Two days after, the Seots retired to their own country, which, when Edward was assured of, he burst into tears; for the enterprise, which thus terminated in disappointment and dishonour, had eost an inmense sum. Every preparation had been made, and auxiliaries had even been procured, at a most enormous expense, from Hainauit. These consisted of heavy-armed eavalry; and they were now so much worn out that they could searcely move. The few living horses were become unserviceable, in a campaign of three weeks; so that they were obliged to procure horses to convey them to the south of England.
In 1328, Edward, wearied out with continual losses and disappointments, consented to a perpetual peace between the
