The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-12-24
WHOLE NO. 1923.
A Lesson in Scotch History.
30 Douglas, for the leading wand,
Iiarcs Randolph. for the speadh

In these times Of danger and distress.
when generals and politicians quarrel for
precedence, while the land is ruined, ard
one oHcer, moved by personal rivalry or
jealous spite, refuses aid to to another, in
distresss, perhaps story of by-gone times
| may help US to comprehend the true spirit
Of chiyalrous emulation and generous rival.
| ry which should animate our leaders and
our armies.
When Robert Bruce was fighting for
Scottish liberty against the invading King
| OF England, there were among the little
band of tried and valent friends who SUI.
rounded him, two especially distinguished
for bravery and devotion, and for their ri
valry in deeds of danger and daring.
These were Randolph, Earl of Moray,
the Kings nephew, and James, Earl Of
destroyed his oyn castle of Hermitage to
prevent it from affording shelter to the
Southern foe, and who, while journeying
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 over-powered by numbers.
Many wonderful tales are told of the pa
tient fortitude and daring of these rival
captains, but none that tell of traits more
noble or more worthy of imitation than
these two instances of their willingness to
sacrifice self upon the alter Of their man
hood and their country's freedom.
After the victory of Bannockburn Ro.
bert Bruce determined to become int his
turn the invader, and crossing the Tweed
was able, by forced marches, to surprise
and put to flight the English army near
Bbland Abbey.
The enemy was strongly posted upon the
side of hill, accessible only by one mar
row and difficult path, and Bruce ordered
douglas to storm the position. As the
latter was about 10 commence the ascent, he
was Joined by Earl Randolph, attended by
four squires who brgsed permission to
serve under him. Leave was gladly accord
ed, and Randolph fought bravely as a pri-
vate in @he ranks. When such spirit
animated the chiefs, how could the armies
lail of victory?
On the day before the battle Of Bannock-
burn, the Scottish army being in position,
the command Of the left wing was entrust,
ed to Randolph, with orders to keep strict
watch that no English passed to relieve
Sterling Castle. But Bruce's eyes detect
=" 'AiS VI tiS SOuttIcIIl lallCeS, anu
riding to his nephew he exclaimed, ''Sec,
Randolph, rose has fallen from your
chaplet!" "Ah," said the earl, my wreath
shall bloom again or my life fade too ~ and
calling around him little band of foot
men, he rushed against the foe, who speed.
lily surrounded them. "Ah, my liege,"
said the Douglas, Earl Randolph has but
one man to ten; let me go to aid him.
Not So" replied the King, "let him re
deem his own error, will not weaken or
change my order of battle" But the noise
of strife grew louder, and higher swelcd
the heart of Douglas. My lege," he said,
my heart will not suffer me to stay by
and see Randolph perish; must needs
go to aid him. and followed by all his
train, he galloped to the top Of the hill,
where he saw the struggle.
"Halt, my men," he cried, see where the
English horses run ridorless over the field,
and Earl Randolph's banner towers above
the pursuers! Halt here, for We are too
late 90 sare tue contest, ,aad our presence
might impair the glory we are 100 late to
win"
Who would doubt that under leaders like
these handful Of men could march to
certain victory.