young Douglas might be counted on to bring his dalesmen to your banner.  There are all the lords who have favoured your cause, and so stood aloof from Comyn.  You will have a good array to commence with; but above all, even if unsuccessful at first, all Scotland would come in time to regard you as her king and champion.  Resistance will never cease, for even Wallace was ever able to assemble bands and make head against the English, so will it be with you, until at last freedom is achieved, and you will reign a free king over a free Scotland, and your name will be honoured to all time as the champion and deliverer of our country.  Think not, sir,” he went on earnestly as Bruce paced up and down the little room, “that it is too late.  Other Scotchmen, Fraser and many others, who have warred in the English ranks, have been joyfully received when at length they drew sword for Scotland.  Only do you stand forth as our champion, believe me, that the memory of former weakness will be forgotten in the admiration of present patriotism.”

For two or three minutes Bruce strode up and down the room; then he paused before Archie.

“By heavens,” he said, “I will do it!  I am not so sanguine as you, I do not believe that success can ever finally attend the enterprise, but, be that as it may, I will attempt it, win or die.  The memory of Robert Bruce shall go down in the hearts of Scotchmen as one who, whatever his early errors, atoned for them at last by living and dying in her cause.  My sisters and brothers have long urged me to take such a step, but I could never bring myself to brave the power of England.  Your words have decided me.  The die is cast.  Henceforward Robert Bruce is a Scotchman.  And now, Sir Archibald, what think you my first step should be?”

“The English in Scotland are lulled in security, and a sudden blow upon them will assuredly at first be wholly successful.  You must withdraw suddenly and quietly from here.”

“It is not easy to do so,” Bruce replied.  “Although high in favour with Edward, he has yet some suspicions of me —­ not,” he said bitterly, “without just cause —­ and would assuredly arrest me did he know that I were going north.  My only plan will be to appear at court as usual, while I send down relays of horses along the northern road.  You will ride with me, Sir Archie, will you not?  But I must tell you that I have already, in some degree, prepared for a movement in Scotland.  Comyn and I have met and have talked over the matter.  Our mutual claims to the crown stood in the way, but we have agreed that one shall yield to the other, and that whoso takes the crown shall give all his lands to be the property of the other, in consideration of his waiving his claim and giving his support.  This we have agreed to, and have signed a mutual bond to that effect, and though it is not so writ down we have further agreed that I shall have the crown and that Comyn shall take Carrick and Annandale; but this was for the future, and we thought not of any movement for the present.’’