Ayrshire > Volume 1

ROBERT THE BRUCE 85
should he find the people well affected and ready to rise,
to light a beacon on an upland in Carrick ; and, from
the Arran shore, Bruce eagerly waited and watched for
the signal. The time appointed arrived, and the King
saw the smoke arising on the further shore. He accepted
the omen cheerfully, and his small fleet put to sea.
Fortunately for him, the winds were contrary, and night
had fallen before the galleys grounded on the sands in
the vicinity of Turnberry Castle. Here he was met by
his messenger with the depressing intelligence that
success could not be hoped for, that the people were
supine, that the ascendancy of the Southron was
complete. Why then, demanded the monarch, had the
bonfire been lit ? The messenger explained that it had
not been kindled by his hand. But nevertheless it had
blazed, the King had seen its smoke against the day sky,
and its red glare upon the night. That was a superstitious
age, and, in all probability, Bruce and his followers
accepted the omen as a heavenly call to go forward.
Besides, the position was desperate. To have retreated
would have meant ruin ; in going forward there was at
least a chance of success ; and, acting upon one of those
happy inspirations that frequently mean so much to
those who can translate them into action, he led his
men towards the outbuildings, where were quartered
the greater part of the men who formed the garrison of
Turnberry.
Strong upon its rock, defended on its landward side
by a rampart and ditch, the gates closed, and Percy and
a sufficient number of his followers within to give a stern
account of themselves, none knew better than the Lord
of Turnberry himself how fruitless an assault upon the
fortress must be. But, as has been said, the greater part
of the men comprising the garrison were housed without
the walls. Upon these fell the opening vengeance of the
Scottish monarch. No doubt, from the security of the
keep, Percy heard the shouts of the assailants and the
answering cries of the attacked ; he knew there was
stern work proceeding without, and that it must needs