XVIII. "So said I-and believed in sooth," Ronald replied, "I spoke the truth. I've faced worse odds than five to three- If our free passage they contest; Cope thou with two, I'll match the rest." "Not so, my Liege-for by my life, This sword shall meet the treble strife; My strength, my skill in arms, more small, And less the loss should Ronald fall. But islesmen soon to soldiers grow, Allan has sword as well as bow, And were my Monarch's order given, Two shafts should make our number even.". "No! not to save my life!" he said; 66 Enough of blood rests on my head, Too rashly spill'd-we soon shall know, XIX. Nigh came the strangers, and more nigh ;- Goat-skins or deer-hides o'er them cast, Made a rude fence against the blast; Their arms and feet and heads were bare, Matted their beards, unshorn their hair; For arms, the caitiffs bore in hand, A club, an axe, a rusty brand. XX. Onward, still mute, they kept the track ;"Tell who ye be, or else stand back,” Said Bruce; "In desarts when they meet, Still, at his stern command, they stood, As seem'd of fear, and not of will. 13 "If from the sea, where lies your bark?". "Ten fathom deep in ocean dark! Wreck'd yesternight; but we are men, Who little sense of peril ken. The shades come down-the day is shutWill you go with us to our hut?". "Our vessel waits us in the bay; Thanks for your proffer-have good day."- When with St George's blazon red And yours raised sail, and took to flight." XXI. Now, by the rood, unwelcome news!" Thus with Lord Ronald communed Bruce ; "Nor rests there light enough to show If this their tale be true or no. The men seem bred of churlish kind, Yet rugged brows have bosoms kind; Come, lead us where your lodging lies, -Nay, soft! we mix not companies. Shew us the path o'er crag and stone, And we will follow you ;-lead on.”— XXII. They reach'd the dreary cabin, made Of sails against a rock display'd, And there, on entering, found A slender boy, whose form and mien |