his uncle at Scone; and in the disastrous skirmish soon after, near Methven,
he was one of the prisoners who fell into the hands of the English. As the insurgent Scots were regarded as rebels against their liege lord, Edward I., the
usual laws of war were dispensed with; and thus, either with or without trial, the noblest and best of Scotland were consigned to the dungeon or the gallows. The
worst of these alternatives would probably have been the fate of Randolph, in
consequence of his near relationship to Bruce, had not the brave Adam De Gordon, who was a favourite with the English king, interceded in his behalf.
Randolph's life in consequence was spared, but it was only on condition that he
should swear fealty to Edward; and to this he submitted with that facility so
characteristic of the knightly fidelity of the middle ages. He swore that he
would be Edward's man, and the deadly enemy of all his enemies (including, of
course, his own uncle and kindred), and thus was transformed in a trice from a
Scottish patriot into a friend and servant of the oppressor. If anything can
apologize for such tergiversation, it might be the difficulty of deciding at times
with which party the right remained; and many may have thought, with Sir
Roger de Coverly, that much might be said on both sides especially when they had a gallows in view.
Randolph having thus changed his party, appears to have fought for it with a courage that did not belie his future renown. He was even among that band, headed by Aymer de Valence and John of Lorn, that chased Robert Bruce among the wilds of Galloway with blood-hounds, and nearly succeeded in capturing or slaying him. On this occasion, Sir Thomas pursued the chase so eagerly, that he took his uncle's standard-bearer prisoner, along with the royal banner. But this unworthy alienation was not to continue much longer, and an event occurred by which Randolph was to be recovered to his country and his true fame. At this time Sir James Douglas, renowned far and wide by his terrible vengeance upon the English, who had garrisoned the castle of his fathers, was intrenched among the depths of Ettrick Forest, and making it good by prowess and stratagem against every assailant. This was a tempting adventure for Randolph, and accordingly, accompanied by Sir Alexander Stewart of Bonkill, and Sir Adam Gordon—Anglicized Scots, like himself—he set off upon the enterprise, and encamped for the night at a solitary house on the Lyne-water, a tributary stream that falls into the Tweed a little above Peebles. Douglas, however, whom no enemy ever caught asleep, happened to be in the neighbourhood; and on approaching the house, he overheard some one within exclaiming "the devil!" with true military emphasis. Guessing from this token that the building was tenanted by stout soldiers, he made a sudden assault, scattered the surprised inmates, and captured Stewart and Randolph, whom he conducted to his master next morning. The meeting between the king and his renegade nephew was characteristic of such a party-changing period. "Nephew," said Bruce, "you have for a while renounced your faith, but now you must be reconciled to me." "You reproach me," answered the nephew sharply, "and yet better deserve to be reproached yourself; for since you made war against the king of England, you should have vindicated your right in the open field, and not by cowardly sleights and skirmishes." "That may hereafter fall out, and soon," replied the king who had commenced in this very fashion, until misfortune taught him a wiser course of action "meantime, since you have spoken so rudely, it is fitting that your proud words should receive due chastisement, until you learn to know the right, and bow to it as you aught." After this
