The following day the band moved up to a spot within half a mile of the seaward edge of the forest, and a few hundred yards from the road to Crossraguel Abbey.  It was only on this road that Archie could hope to effect a capture; for the country near the coast was free of trees, and no ambush could be set.  The lords of Carrick were, moreover, patrons of the abbey; and Bruce might ride over thither with but a small party, whereas, if journeying south, or southeast towards Douglasdale, he would probably be marching with a strong force.  For several days they watched the castle; bodies of mounted men entered and departed.  Twice parties, among whom ladies could be seen, came out with their hawks; but none came within reach of their lurking foes.

On the fifth morning, however, the lad on watch ran into the glade in which they were encamped and reported that a small body of seemingly two or three knights, with some ladies, followed by four mounted men, had left the castle and were approaching by the route towards the abbey.

Not a moment was lost.  Archie placed six of his company, with pike and sword, close to the road, to form across it when he gave the order, and to bar the retreat of any party who had passed.  Another party of equal strength he placed 100 yards further on, and with them himself took post; while he placed four, armed with bows and arrows, on either side, near the party which he commanded.  Scarcely had his preparations been made when a trampling of horses was heard, and the party were seen approaching.  They consisted of Robert Bruce, his brother Nigel, and three of his sisters —­ Isabel, Mary, and Christina.  Behind rode four men-at-arms.  From the description which he had heard of him Archie had no doubt that the elder of the two knights was Robert Bruce himself, and when they approached within thirty yards he gave a shout, and, with his band, with levelled spears, drew up across the road.  At the same moment the other party closed in behind the horsemen; and the eight archers, with bent bows and arrows drawn to the head, rose among the trees.  The party reined in their horses suddenly.

“Hah! what have we here?” Bruce exclaimed.  “An ambush —­ and on all sides too!” he added as he looked round.  “What means this?  Are you robbers who thus dare attack the Bruce within a mile of Turnberry?  Why, they are but lads,” he added scornfully.  “Rein back, girls; we and the men-at-arms will soon clear a way for you through these varlets.  Nay, I can do it single handed myself.”

“Halt!  Sir Robert Bruce,” Archie exclaimed in a loud clear voice.  “If you move I must perforce give the word, and it may well be that some of the ladies with you may be struck with the arrows; nor, young though my followers may be, would you find them so easy a conquest as you imagine.  They have stood up before the English ere now; and you and your men-at-arms will find it hard work to get through their pikes; and we outnumber you threefold.  We are no robbers.  I myself am Sir Archibald Forbes.”