Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-12-11
A SCOTTISH LEGEND,
The Story of the Knight With the
White Feather.
TWO COURAGEOUS WARRIORS.

tector--The Sad Sequel to the Battle
That Was Lost.
The llerslldlc arms of the Scotch
town Of Selkirk show woman seated
on n tomb. on which IN also placed the
Scottish lion The legend told about
the arms is this: King james w. of
Scotland. who was about TO invade
England. needed recruits for his enter
prise. The town clerk of Selkirk. vii.
liam Brydonc. tried his best to aid his
king by persuading his fellow country
men 10 enlist In the royal cause. So
earnest was he that he II said TO have
moved over hundred lusty Scots to
join his standard. Among these was
one of the maine of Alexander Hume.
This man was Il shoemaker of the
town Of Selkirk. He was strong, stall
wart. bold and nm excellent work man.
Brydone was very glad to welcome
him. as he reckoned him quite the best
who were also brave men and true.
cheered him as he appeared among
them. such confidence had they In his
wisdom. prudence. valor and strength.
Hume's wife. Margaret. was n fine
young woman and very fond and proud
OF her brave. strong husband. Now.
Margaret did not ut all like this pro.
posed invasion of England. She felt
that II would mean great trouble 10 the
Scotch people. who would certainly be
vanquishcd by their strong enemy. and
the thought came TO her that her own
brave husband might perhaps lose his
life In the struggle. She therefore used
all her best efforts to keep him at
home. She pleaded In vain. Alexap-
der was firm. At last she held up to
his face their little five-months-old
daughter and asked who would look
after the child II he should die and
who would keep her from misery and
misfortune.
Hume loved his wife and child. and
these appeals brought the tears to his
eyes, but they did not break down his
resolution. which he had girt about him
as armor. Nothing could move him
TO become untrue TO his king and coun-
try.
Finding that no entreaties could
move him. Margaret ut last gave way
10 anger and told him that his eager
desire TO be thought the bravest man
of Selkirk would not supply the child
he was bound TO work for with bite
of bread. She said even more than
this Her tones grew higher. and one
word led to another. as you know II
will, until the couple parted In anger.
he to the field of battle and she to
remain at home.
Alexander had not gone far before
II flashed across the mind of his wife
that perhaps she might never see him
she flung the child into its crib and
rushed out Of the house. She must
see her husband again and get from
him one parting glance or word OF
reconciliation. She hurried through
the town. she sought everywhere for
him. but he was nowhere TO be seen.
He had gone of with his comrades
The poor wife wept bitterly. Her
grief WIS deep.
Hume aud his fellows were soon Ell.
gagged In battle. lie displayed the
greatest bravery. Wherever he went
numbers of The enemy fell In every
direction upon the field of battle he
was seen His companions kept well
up to him. and In particular one man
who had lately joined the party. This
man fought with courage equal TO
that OF Hume himself. keeping contin-
ually beside him and defending him
In many perils. Once when an Eng
lishman from behind drew very near
10 the Scot this soldier struck the COW.
ardly fellow 10 the earth just MS he
was inserting his spear between the
clasps of Ilume's nrmur. Hume called
TO the brave fellow aud demanded his
name. even In The midst of the light
but the stranger said thar that was no
matter.
This generous soldier wore a heath
er jacket aud I'M iron helmet. in which
there was placed u small white feath
er. Wherever Hume fought ON the
battlefield there might be seen beside
feather.
At last the battle ended In defeat for
the Scotch. who scattered In all direc.
tons. Hume. who. with other sol
diers. was obliged TO lie concealed In
the forest for some time. took the first
opportunity Of inlniring after his faith
full attendant. But all his inquiries
were without avail. lie could not trace
him. Nothing could he learn of him
but that he had disappeared when the
fight was over.
Alexander Hume hurried to his cot
tage. He was anxious TO see again his
beloved wife and bestow upon her the
kiss Of reconciliation. When he reach
I'd II he listened al the door. and his
heart beat fast. lie had kind words TO
say to her from whom he Tad parted
in anger. and his deep wounds needed
dressing. lie lifted the latch aud walk
ed In. All was still. No wife came TO
meet him: no child's cry met his ear