ROBERT BRUCE AND THE SCOTCH WOMAN. ANON. 1. MANY years ago, an old Scotch woman sat alone, spinning by the kitchen fire, in her little cottage. The room was adorned with the spoils of the chase, and many implements of war and hunting. There were spears, bows and arrows, swords, and shields; and, against the side of the room, hung a pair of huge antlers, once reared on the lordly brow of a 66 stag of ten,"* on which were suspended skins, plaids, bonnets, and one or two ponderous battle-axes. 2. The table, in the middle of the floor, was spread for sup per, and some oatmeal cakes were baking before the fire. But the dame was not thinking of any of these things, nor of her two manly sons, who, in an adjoining room, were busily preparing for the next day's sport. 3. She was thinking of the distracted state of her native land, and of the good king, Robert Bruce, a fugitive in his own kingdom, beset, on every hand, by open enemies and secret traitors. "Alas!" thought she, "to-night I dwell here in peace, while to-morrow may see me driven out into the heath; and even now our king is a wanderer, with no shelter for his weary limbs." 4. A loud knock at the door broke in upon her musings. She rose, trembling with fear, to unbar the entrance, and beheld a man closely muffled in a cloak. "My good woman," said he, "will you grant a poor traveler the shelter of your roof to-night'?" 5. ne, 66 Right willingly will I," said she; "for the love of for whose sake all travelers are welcome here." * That is, a stag ten years old. The age of the animal is known by the number of prongs or tines, each year one new prong being added. 6. "For whose sake is it that you make all wanderers welcome?" asked the stranger 7. "For the sake of our good king, Robert Bruce, who, though he is now hunted like a wild beast, with horn and hound, I trust yet to see on the throne of Scotland!" 8. " Nay, then, my good woman," replied the man, "since I am love him so well, know that you see him now. Robert Bruce." you 9. "You'!-are you our king'?" she inquired, sinking on her knees, and reverently kissing his hand; "where, then, are your followers, and why are you thus alone?” 10. "I have no followers now," replied Bruce, "and am, therefore, compelled to travel alone." 11. "Nay, my liege," exclaimed the loyal dame, "that you shall do no longer; for here are my two sons, whom I give to you, and may they long live to serve and defend your majesty !" 12. The Scottish youths bent their knees, and took the oath of fealty; and then, sitting beside the fire, the king entered into conversation with his new retainers, while their mother was busied in preparing the evening meal. 13. Suddenly, they were startled by the tramp of horses' hoofs, and the voices of men. "Tis the English!" shouted the matron, "fight to the last, my sons, and defend your king!" But, at this moment, the king recognized the voices of lord James, of Douglas, and of Edward Bruce, and bade them have no fear. 14. Bruce was overjoyed at meeting with his brother, and his faithful friend Douglas, who had with them a band of one hundred and fifty men. He bade farewell to the brave and loyal woman, and, taking with him her two sons, left the place. 15. The two young Scots served Bruce well and faith fully, and were high officers in his service when, at the head of a conquering army, he drove the English invaders from the soil of Scotland, and rendered her again a free and independent kingdom. QUESTIONS.-1. Describe the room in which the Scotch woman resided. 2. What is meant by a "stag of ten?" 3. Who did the stranger prove to be? 4. Who joined Bruce? 5. What did Bruce and his men then do? The sterling worth which. viewed aright, Most dignifies the man. Favored at once by wind and tide, The skillful pilot well may guide The bark in safety on; Yet, when his harbor he has gained, No meed has fairly won. 2. But in adversity's dark hour Of peril and of fear, When clouds above the vessel lower, When winds are loud, and waves are high, And ocean, Appears the seaman's grave; 3. For Scotland and her freedom's right The meed for which he fought; A hut's lone shelter sought. 4. And cheerless was that resting-place Yet well I know had slumber fled Through darksome night to dawn of day, 5. The sun rose brightly, and its gleam And tinged with light each shapeless beam When, looking up with wistful eye, His filmy thread to fling From beam to beam of that rude cot; 6. Six times his gossamery thread In vain the filmy line was sped; Each aim appeared and back recoiled And soon the Bruce, with eager eye, 7. One effort more, the seventh and last,— The hero hailed the sign! And on the wished-for beam hung fast Slight as it was, his spirit caught The more than omen; for his thought The lesson well could trace, |