He waded
rivers and climbed mountains. Sometimes two or three faithful friends
were with him. Sometimes he was alone. Sometimes his enemies were very
close upon him.
Late one evening he came to a little farmhouse in a lonely valley. He
walked in without knocking. A woman was sitting alone by the fire.
"May a poor traveler find rest and shelter here for the night?" he
asked. The woman answered, "All travelers are welcome for the sake of
one; and you are welcome"
"Who is that one?" asked the king.
"That is Robert the Bruce," said the woman. "He is the rightful lord
of this country. He is now being hunted with hounds, but I hope soon
to see him king over all Scotland."
"Since you love him so well," said the king, "I will tell you
something. I am Robert the Bruce."
"You!" cried the woman in great surprise. "Are you the Bruce, and are
you all alone?"
"My men have been scattered," said the king, "and therefore there is
no one with me."
"That is not right," said the brave woman. "I have two sons who are
gallant and trusty. They shall go with you and serve you."
So she called her two sons. They were tall and strong young men, and
they gladly promised to go with the king and help him.
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