This stern denial of justice to his relation was a severe disappointment to the Archbishop, but it only roused the spirit of the young Douglas: he resolved from that moment to devote his life (after the glorious example of his father,) to the salvation of his country; and returned to St. Andrew's, there to await patiently for better times.
Nor had he to wait long, for news soon reached him that the heroic Bruce had preferred his claim to the crown of Seotland, and had ereeted his standard in his native Annandale.
He, like the Douglas, had craved the friendship of the English King. But when he put him in mind of a promise to assist him, as nearest and lawful heir to the crown of Seotland, the crafty old King, who no doubt entertained views of taking the crown to himself, angrily replied, "What! have we nothing else to do but to conquer kingdoms for you!"
Among the first who joined the Bruce, was young Douglas, accompanied with a gallant retinue of followers, the expense of their equipment being secretly defrayed by the Archbishop of St. Andrew's. It may easily be imagined how welcome his presence would be to Bruce; for, independent of his high birth and hearty good-will to the cause, he was a young man of uncommon promise. His education had not been neglected, and to a mind well stored, was added a body of unusual strength and vigour. He is represented as being very tall, broad between the shoulders, and limbs well formed, with swarthy complexion and dark hair, by which he received the appella-
