The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-12-04
A SCOTTISH LEGEND,
The Story Of the Knight With the
White Feather.
TWO COURAGEOUS WARRIORS.
Heroic Alexander Hume and His Still
More Heroic Fellow Soldier and Pro-
teetor-Ths Sad Sequel to the Battle
That Was Lost.

teotor--Ths Sad Sequel TO the Battle
That Was Lost.
The heraldic arms oc the Scotch
town or Selkirk show a woman seated
on tomb. on which il also placed the
Scottish lion. The legend told about
the arms Is this King James Nv. OF
Scotland. who was about TO invade
England. needed recruits for bis enter
prise. The town clerk OF Selklrk, WI.
liam Brydone. tried his best 10 aid his
king by persuading his fellow country
men to enlist In the royal cause. So
earnest was he that be Is said TO have
moved over hundred lusty Scots 20
join his standard. Among these was
one or the name OF Alexander Hume.
This man was shoemaker OF the
town or Selkirk. He was strong, stall
wart, bold and an excellent workman.
Brydone was very glad 20 welcome
him. as be reckoned him quito the best
man OF the hundred, and his comrades,
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 a fne
young woman aud very fond and proud
OF her brave, strong husband. Now,
Margaret did not at all like this pro-
posed invasion OF England. She felt
that It would mean great trouble 10 the
Scotch people. who would certainly be
vanquished 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. Alexan-
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 be 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 at last gave way
10 anger and told him that his eager
desire 70 be thought the bravest man
OF Seikirk 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 20 another. as you know IL
will. until the couple parted In anger.
he 10 the field OF battle and she TO
remain at home.
Alexander had not gone far before
II dashed across the mind OF his wife
that perhaps she might never see him
alive again. Unable 10 control herself
she dung 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 be was nowhere TO be seen.
He had gone Off with his comrades
The poor wife wept bitterly. Her
grief was deep.
Hume and his fellows were soon en-.
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 10 him. and IN particular one man
who had lately Joined the party. This
man fought with courage equal 10
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 enrth Just as be
was inserting his spear between the
clasps OF Hume's armor Hume called
10 the brave fellow aud demanded his
name. even In the midst OF the hight.
but the stranger said that that was no
matter.
This generous soldier wore a leath-
sr jacket and an iron helmet. In which
there was placed a small white feath-
er. Wherever Hume fought on the
battlefield there might be seen beside
him the iron helmet and the white
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 1rst
opportunity OF inquiring after his faith
ful attendant. But all his inquiries
were without avail. He could not trace
him. Nothing could he learn OF him
but that he bad disappeared when the
light was over.
Alexander Hume hurried to his cot
tage. He was anxious to zee again his
beloved wife and bestow upon her the
kiss Of reconciliation. When he reach
ed II he listened at the door. and his
heart beat fast. He had kind words TO
say 10 her from whom he had parted
Ia anger. and his deep wounds needed
dressing He lifted the latch and walk
ed Ia. All was still No wife came 20
meet him: no chlld's cry met his ear