Ayrshire > Volume 1

88 HISTORY OF AYRSHIRE
aim at the father, transfixed him in the brain.
Undeterred by the fall of their father, the two sons
pressed on, but two to one were odds that Bruce little
esteemed at any time, and, although he was armed with
nothing more than a short sword, he despatched them
both. The deed got him considerable renown throughout
the immediate district, and was a warning to the English
that they must take his capture more seriously ; it gave
heart also to Bruce's own followers, and it augured well
from the opening for the ultimate success that must be
achieved.
For the time being, however, it brought no gain of
men to the King ; on the contrary, so desperate did his
cause appear to be that some of his followers deserted
him. In the hope of broadening the interest in the
struggle, Sir James Douglas, whose fidelity nothing
could shake, whose courage nothing could daunt, paid
a visit to his own native countryside of Galloway, and,
while Bruce was thus weakened, a party of Gallo vidians
essayed his capture. in considerable force. Hearing that
they were in quest of him, he retired into a morass, and
maintained a constant watch lest he should be taken at
unawares. There was only the one narrow way by which
access could be had to the moss, and that across a small
stream, commanded on the inner side by a fairly high
bank. Attended by two of his followers, Bruce was
scanning the surrounding country, when his quick ear
detected the questioning of a bloodhound. The baying
came steadily nearer, and the King knew that danger
was at hand. He despatched his two followers with an
urgent call for his men, and took up his position on the
morass side of the burn. There, when they approached,
the Gallovidians found him standing alone, armed at all
points, and with his long sword naked in his hand.
There were few men of his time who could fight as Bruce
fought. Courageous to a high degree, skilled in the use
of sword and battle axe alike, calm and confident, he
realised the possibilities of the strong right arm. To
the Gallovidians it seemed as if Providence had placed