But King Robert’s adventures were not yet ended.  It was now near night, and he went boldy into a farmhouse, where he found the mistress, an old, true-hearted Scotswoman, sitting alone.  Upon seeing a stranger enter she asked him who and what he was.  The King answered that he was a traveller, who was journeying through the country.

“All travellers,” answered the good woman, “are welcome here, for the sake of one.”

“And who is that one,” said the King, “for whose sake you make all welcome?”

“It is our rightful King, Robert the Bruce,” answered the mistress, “and although he is now pursued and hunted after with hounds and horns, I hope to live to see him King over all Scotland.”

“Since you love him so well, madame,” said the King, “know that you see him before you.  I am Robert the Bruce.”

“You!” said the good woman, in great surprise; “and wherefore are you thus alone? where are all your men?”

“I have none with me at this moment,” answered Bruce, “and therefore I must travel alone.”

“But that shall not be,” said the brave old dame, “for I have two stout sons, gallant and trusty men, who shall be your servants for life and death.”

So she brought her two sons, and though she well knew the dangers to which she exposed them, she made them swear fidelity to the King.

Now, the loyal woman was getting everything ready for the King’s supper, when suddenly there was a great trampling of horses heard round the house.  They thought it must be some of the English, or John of Lorn’s men, and the good wife called upon her sons to fight to the last for King Robert.  But shortly after, they heard the voice of the good Lord James of Douglas, and of Edward Bruce, the King’s brother, who had come with a hundred and fifty horsemen, according to the instructions that the King had left with them at parting.

Robert the Bruce was right joyful to meet his brother, and his faithful friend Lord James; and had no sooner found himself once more at the head of such a considerable body of followers, than he forgot hunger and weariness.  There was nothing but mount and ride; and as the Scots rushed suddenly into the village where the English were quartered, they easily dispersed and cut them to pieces.

The consequence of these successes of King Robert was that soldiers came to join him on all sides, and that he obtained several victories over English commanders; until at length the English were afraid to venture into the open country, as formerly, unless when they could assemble themselves in considerable bodies.  They thought it safer to lie still in the towns and castles which they had garrisoned.