Washington telegraph., 1850-05-29
LINLITHGOW CASTLE.
AN EXPLOIT OF ROBERT BRUCE.

AN EXPLOIT OF ROBERT BRUCE.
When Robert Bruce was lying in Tor
wood Castle, not far from Falkirk, a man
| by the name of Binnoch, farmer in the
neighborhood, who supplied the garrison
at Linlithgow, then in possession of the
English king, proposed to Bruce to take
possession of the garrison by a stratagem
Wnlch he accomriiAL~4l nI- i--eiv.errr
has been wrought into lively form by
Wilson, not Professor Wilson, but John
Mackie Wilson, author of the Border
Tales The following is his account oi
tie matter, somewhat condensed.
| Having been introduced to Bruce at
Iorwood, Binnoch intimated that he had
semethlng of great importance to COM
mnnicate, and inquired whether he might
sIeak with confidence. Being assured
that he might: he proceeded thus:
| "Aweel, sir, the business [ cam upon
isjust this. supply the garrison, ye see,
sil, o Lithgrow wi hay; now I've observ-
ed that they're a., wheen idle, careless
fellows, mair ia en- up wi their play than
their duty"
Bruce's eyes here kiudled with a sud-
der fire, and his whole countenance be-
came animated with an expression of
| herce eagerness that strongly contrasted
With its former placidity. He was
| now Ill attention to the communication
of hia humble visiter.
"What! the castle of Linlithg gov, friend"
exclaimed Bruce, with slight smile of
mingled surprise and increduIity "You
take the castle of Linlithgow. Pray, my
good fellow, how would you propose to
do thar"
"Why, sir, by very simple process,
replied Bennoch, undauntedly; II wad
put dizen Or fifteen stout, weel armed,
resollte fellows in my cart, cover them
over WI hay, and introduce them into
the garrison as load O. provender. If
they we're once in, an the cheils were
themselves of the right stuff, I'll wad my
head to pease hammock that the castles
ours in fifteen minutes"
''And would you undertake to do this.
my good friend?' said Bruce, gravely,
struck with the idea, and impressed with
its practica biity.
''Readily. and WI RIGHT guild will,
SIR" raf>l;~-~' -Ds--e.eoi,, 1rid.ad 20 g.
me the men; but they maun be the very
vale O. your flock; It's not a job for faint
hearts Or nerveless arms"
''The men ye shall have, my brave fell
low; and if ye succeed your country will
be indebted to you. But it is perilous
undertaking.; there will be hard fighting,
and ye may lose your head by it. Have
you thought of that?'
81 have, sir. replied Bunoch, firmly.
GAS to the fechtin'' we are like TO gle
them as gnid as we get. And for the
hangin', the Scotsman is no deservin
O. the name that's no ready to brave
death. in any form, for his country
Bruce caught the enthusiasm of the
speaker; a tear started into his eye, and,
seizlng the hand of the humble patriot
"Mv noble fellow he said, "would to
God all Scotsmen were like thee. Be-
nealh that homely plaid of thine there
beats heart of which any knight III
chrstendom might be proud. Lose or
win, this shall not be forgotten"
Having made the necessary arrange
merits, and agreed upon sign, for COM
muricating with each other, Binnoch took
his departure from the castle Of Torwood.
The next day the men selected by
Bruce were at Binnoch's house, having
been admitted through the preconcerted
signal. They repaired to the barn, and
were snugly packed away in the hay cart,
armed with steel caps and short swords
Everything being in readiness, Binnoch
hid sword amongst the hay for his own
use, and in such a situation that he could
easily seize it when wanted. He also
provided himself with pognard, which
he concealed beneath his waistcoat. Thus
prepared at all points, the intrepid peasant
set forward with his load of daring hearts,
and, having arrived at the castle. ne and
his cart were immediately admitted. They
proceeded onward till they came 10 The
centre of the courtyard, when Binnoch
gave the preconcerted signal to his asso-
ciates, which was conveyed in the words,
spoken in loud voice, Forward, Grey
stall, forward as if addressing his horse,
which he at the sametime struck with
his whip to complete the deception.
These words were no sooner uttered
than the hay, with which the daring
adventures were covered, was seen to
move, and on the instant it was thrown
over upon the pavement, to the ineXpres-
sble amazement of the idlers who were
looking on; and, to their still greater sur
prise. fifteen armed men leaped, with fear
full shouts, into the courtyard, when, be-
ing instantly headed by Binnoch, the
work OF death began. Every man with
in their reach at the moment was cut
down. The guard-room was assailed,
and all in it put to death; and, passing
from apartment to apartment, they swept
the garrison, and took possession OF 1t.
The attack had been so sudden, so unex-
pected aud so vigorous. that its unfortunate
occupants, six times their number, had no
time to rally or defend themselves, ,and thus
fell an easy prey to the bold adventurers'
Wo hive onIxy RI odd that RinnOch