The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-02-27
yIscoukr pARLiscouRrs Travels ~ EUROPE.
JAMES VI. OF SCOTLAND.

scots, was yet an infant, Earl GOwrie, : del
scendant Of the first Kings Of Scotland, had
been condemned to death and executed for
having, as was said, aspired 10 the %throne,
and his immense landed property had BEEN
confiscated; but be left Two sons, and James
VI. had reinsfaied the eldest in his fathers
p%atrimony. Such was the situations of things
when. in 1000, Alexander Ruthyen, second
son of Earl Gowrie, started in search of the
King, who was hunting in Falkland Park, at
a short distance from Perth, and having met
him: Sire said he, q have Just arrested a
mysterious parsonage, under whose cloak !
found a vase filed with golden coins. This
man seems to bel in possession OF an immense
treasure, Of which this money is a portion
He refuses TO reveal The place of its con-
cealneni, and declares that your Majesty "a
lone shall be made acquainted with it. !
have taken him TO my brothers. house, where
he is nova prisoner. Sire, come aud ques-
ton him, and he will deliver his riches TO
you
james VI, whose treasury and private
purse were at the very lowest ebb, immedi-
ately quilted the hum. Followed by a feeb-
lie escort, he accompanied Alexander Ruth
ven to Perth. Earl Gowrie, who affected
great surprise atfhe unexpected visit of the
monarch, nevertheless served himup a splen-|
did dinner, and James, as soon as he had
finished his meal, inquired for the captive.
Alexander Ruthven Immediately conducted
The King through dark passages, TO the sum
nit of an old %turref; a heavy door is opened
it shuts again wifha strange sound, and
James eye, plunging into the deepest recess
ses. Of the building, caught sight of a war
rior, sword in hand, instead Of a chained
prisoner. The warrior rushed upon him,
WILTSHIRE terrified Prince attempted 10 re-
treat, calling Ruthven 10 his aid. But Ruth
ven, armed with a dagger, cried out with a
voice of thunder,
Traitor! your last hour is at handle
God of mescyn 53
you killed my father 7
'la replied James; mo, Rulhyen, | could
not have been privy 10 this fatal execution;
was then but a child. Remember all my
~favours since that time, your brothers. es-
tates restored to him.. Ungrateful men! /
have been as a father 10 you"
Alexander, a prey 10 remorse, hesitates
to STRIKE, unwilling 10 steep his own hands IN
sle blood Of his King, and leaving tue execu-
%turret door and fled.
sWill you dare TO kill your Princeg' said
James to The %rufian.
No. replied the latter, falling at his feet,
Il feel indeed that dare not.'
The monarch Immediately approaching
the narrow window of the tower, calls loud
ly for help. His voice was heard from with
out, and Sir John Ramsay, one ofhis pages,
after having given the alarm TO his W par
ty, hastily assembled ioihe tower; but the
doors were locked from within. While they
we're striving TO burst them open with hatch
els, The secret passage leading TO the fatal
turret was discovered. The King was strng-
Cling with Ruthven, who, for a moment, had
staggered in his resolution, and .shrunk from
the commission of crime, but had returned
again more desperate Than ever. Ramsay,
rushing upon the traitor, passed his sword
through his body. Sir Thomas Erskine and
Sir Hugh Herries, having followed the young
page, assisted in putting an end TO Rulhven.
Lord Gowfie. a naked sword in each hand,
now entered, accompanied by seven armed
men, while James had but three fellows on
his side. A bloody contest ensued, and
Ramsay. plunging bis dagger into Earl Cow
RES breast, struck him dead. The bastard
ly villains then took TO their heels, and fed.
James is surrounded by his guards; but a
fresh danger threatens his safety. A report
has been spread abroad, that, anxious TO re-
possess Gowrie estates, he had come to Perth
with the intention of killing the two broth
ers. Lord Gowrie, provost Of the Town, was
idolized throughout the country, and the
lower order Of the people becoming %riotous,
GENEROUSLY demanded their chief. The
utmost efforts were requisite 10 calm their
! Irritation, and the Kings life was only saved
with the greatest difficulty. The account
we have Just laid before the reader is the
version which James VI. has given TO the af-
fair. No one believed in the attempt attri-
: buted 10 the Gowries, for there was nothing
to attest its veracity: proofs even were not
wanting to establish the contrary. This
strange event has ever been buried in the
most profound mystery. The general sup
: position is. that james much regretted hav
ing reiDstated the Geweries in their powel
! and possessions, and that the death of the
: two brothers being the only means of putting
' him in possession of their riches, he had in
] vented this incomprehensible conspiracy tina
! he might thus gain bis real point, which wa
to be able TO form some excuse for c~onfisca
ting that property. All the possessions wert
: forfeited. 1t is necessary to add, in supper
of this last opinion. that when the monarch
! asked for a TIE Deum of thanksgiving, il
d honor of his joyful deliverance, the clerg.
n of Perth refused 10 celebrate it.
But do you entertain doubts Of the al
tempt?' said the Prince TO a member of th'