Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-12-03
IA Lessen from scotch History.
"Oh Douglas, tor thy leading wand,
Firece Randolph for thy speed."

tiSNG s4NtNtt'4 pa k5iS
In these times Of dangers end distress
when generals and politicians quarrel for
precedence, while the land is ruind, and
one officer. moved by personal rivalry
or jealous spite, refuses aid to another in
distress, perhaps story Of by-gone times
may help us TO comprehend the true
spirit of cbiyalrous emulation and gener-
ous rivalry which Should animate oar
leaders and our &, mics.
When Robert Bruce was fighting for
Scottish liberty against the invading King
of, England, there were among the little
band Of tried and valued friends who
surrounded him, two especially dstin-
guished for bravery and devotion, and
for their rivalry in deeds of danger aud
daring,
These were Randolph, Earl of Moray.
the Kings nephew, and. James, Earl of
Douglas surnamed sthe good" who
thrice destroyed bis own Castle of Her
mitage to.prevent it from. aGording shell
ter to the Southern foe, and who while
joarneying TO the Holy Land with the
Bruce's heart, engaged in Battle with
the Moors in Spain, and was killed in
striving TO save the life of comrade
overpowered by numbers.
Many wonderful tales are told of the
patient fortitude and daring Of these rival
captains, but none think that tell of
traits more noble or more worthy of i'm
itation than these two instances of their
willingness TO sacrifice self upon the altar
of their own manhood and their coun
try's freedom.
After the victory Of Bannockburp,
Robert Bruce determined to become in
his turn the invader, and crossing the
Tweed was able, by forced marches, to
surprize and put to fight the English mr.
my near Bilaud Abbey.
The enemy was strongly posted upon
the side of q bill. accessible only by one
narrow and difficult path, aad Bruce or
dered Douglas to storm the position AS
the latter was about to commence the
ascent, he was joined by Enrl Randolph.
attended by four squires, who begged
permission to serve under him. leave
was gladly accorded, and Randolph
fought bravely asa private in the ranks.
When such . spirit animated tie clricfs,
how could the armies fail Of .yictorvl
On the day before the battle OF Ban
nockburn, tho Scotch army being in po-
siton. the command of the left was en-
trusted to Randolph, with.orders TO keep
strict watch that no English passed to
relieve Stirling Castle. But Bsuco's
eagle ewes detected tho- glimmor of the
Issauttern- lances, and riding up to his
lsnephew. he exclaimed, sSee, Randolph,
arose has fallen from your chaplct u
FAB" sail the Earl, - y wreath shall
sl,loour again or my life fade too!', and
calling around him a little bnud Of foot
men. he rushed against the foe, who
? s,;eeiily surrounded them. "Ah, my
Feoe." said the Douglas, EARL Ran
doinl has but one mai 10 ten, lei ma 90
| 10 aia HIM mot So" .repI'ed the
Eing, ',et him re1sem his own errar,-
I g;lrnof wea'-ou-or enouge nv order Of
battle" BIT tie noise Of he s.irs grew
louder, and higher swel'el the heart Of
Dnughs% NY ii0gN' nc Se49, INV
heart will not sntfar me to stay by and
see RI r'olrh perish; | n,ust needs 90
to nil him." and followed by III his
t.tr.p, de gallqped to the top of the hill
whor, f. saw the struggle.
"Hnlt. nv men, 'he CRIES, 'ssee where
| The Ergiislr horses run ridellcss over tue
fa'd, aud Earl Randolphs banner waves
above the pnrsners! Halt here, for we
are too late to share the contest, and orr
pre,epee might impair the glory we are
too late TO win.
Who would doubt that under leaders
like these handful of men could march
to victory p Independent.
NV isc0nssn--Sen Eso0iiftre.