Page:Robert the Bruce and the struggle for Scottish independence - 1909.djvu/175

⁠
Sir John de St. John.⁠	Murdoch of Cumloden.

CHAPTER VII.

ADVENTURES OF THE KING OF SCOTS.

A.D. 1306-1307.

THE King of Scots and his companions wandered among the Highland hills for some weeks before venturing to the neighbourhood of Aberdeen. Here Robert was joined by his queen, his daughter Marjorie, and his two sisters. Thence they betook themselves to the west country, enduring great privations. Douglas is mentioned as their chief purveyor.

"But worthy James of Douglas
Ay travaland and besy was
For to purchas the ladyis met,^[1]
And it on many wis wald get.
For quhile ^[2] he venesoun tham brocht,
And with his handis quhile he wrocht
Gynnis^[3] to tak geddis^[4] and salmounis,
Troutis, elis and als menounis."^[5]

137

1. Meat
2. Sometimes.
3. Snares.
4. Pike.
5. Eels and also minnows.—The Brus, xvii.