being unable to play with other boys, devoted much time to reading and studying early Scottish history, which perhaps accounts for the fact that he devoted so large a portion of his time to writing the legends of early Scottish life. He first wrote poetry, the earliest of his great poems being the Lay of the Last Minstrel, which is followed by Marmion, The Lady of the Lake, and others. Later, he wrote novels dealing with the same general class of subjects.

His later years were saddened by the failure of the publishing house with which he was connected, which left him poor, but he assumed all the financial responsibilities and set about paying off the debts, through his literary labors, and had nearly succeeded when he died, the universally worshiped hero of Scotland. His life was full of beauty and of charm. He loved his people, he loved children.

Scott's family life was very beautiful. His last words upon his deathbed were addressed to Lockhart, a son in law, who was afterwards his biographer. They were, "Be good, my dear." Scott's love of animals is famous, and his dogs are as well known as his castle.

COMBAT OF KING JAMES AND

RODERICK DHU

The following descriptions of a personal combat between two Scotchmen is taken from Sir Walter Scott's Lady of the Lake. King James of Scotland, "Fitz-James," is traveling unknown through his kingdom, as was his custom. He meets Roderick Dhu, or "Black Roderick," a noted outlaw, who leads a band of outlaws and robbers in the hills. Roderick has led the king safely through what he considers his land, because he had promised. The king does not know that he is facing the dreaded bandit, but he soon finds out, and although he tries to persuade the outlaw to submit without fighting, it is of no avail, and the battle follows.

Answered Fitz-James:

"I am by promise tied

To match me with this man of pride:
Twice have I sought Clan Alpine's glen
In peace; but when I come again,
I come with banner, brand, and bow,
As leader seeks his mortal foe.
For love-lorn swain in lady's bower
Ne'er panted for the appointed hour,
As I, until before me stand

This rebel Chieftain and his band!"

5

10

1

Wild as the scream of the curlew, 15 From crag to crag the signal flew. Instant, through copse and heath, arose Bonnets and spears and bended bows: On right, on left, above, below, Sprung up at once the lurking foe; 20 From shingles gray their lances start, The bracken bush sends forth the dart, The rushes and the willow wand Are bristling into ax and brand, And every tuft of broom' gives life 25 To plaided warrior armed for strife. That whistle garrisoned the glen At once with full five hundred men, As if the yawning hill to heaven A subterranean host had given. 30 Watching their leader's beck and will, All silent there they stood and still. Like the loose crags whose threatening mass Lay tottering o'er the hollow pass, As if an infant's touch could urge

35 Their headlong passage down the verge,
With step and weapon forward flung,

Upon the mountain side they hung.
The Mountaineer cast glance of pride
Along Benledi's2 living side,

40 Then fixed his eye and sable brow

1 Broom, a plant of Scotland.

2 Benledi, the mountain where they stood.

Full on Fitz-James: "How say'st thou now?
These are Clan Alpine's warriors true;

And, Saxon, I am Roderick Dhu!"

III

Fitz-James was brave: though to his heart
The life blood thrilled with sudden start,
He manned himself with dauntless air,
Returned the Chief his haughty stare,
His back against a rock he bore,
And firmly placed his foot before:
"Come one, come all! this rock shall fly
From its firm base as soon as I."

Sir Roderick marked, — and in his eyes
Respect was mingled with surprise,
And the stern joy which warriors feel
In foemen worthy of their steel.

Short space he stood then waved his hand:
Down sunk the disappearing band;

Each warrior vanished where he stood,

In broom or bracken,' heath, or wood;
Sunk brand and spear and bended bow,
In osiers2 pale and copses low;

3

It seemed as if their mother Earth
Had swallowed up her warlike birth.

The wind's last breath had tossed in air
Pennon and plaid and plumage fair, —

1 Bracken, a plant of Scotland.
2 Osiers, willow.

3 Copse, thicket.

The next but swept a lone hillside

Where heath and fern were waving wide;
The sun's last glance was glinted back
From spear and glaive,1 from targe2 and jack,3
70 The next, all unreflected, shone

On bracken green and cold gray stone.

Fitz-James looked round,

IV

yet scarce believed

The witness that his sight received; Such apparition' well might seem 75 Delusion of a dreadful dream. Sir Roderick in suspense he eyed, And to his look the Chief replied: "Fear nought — nay, that I need not say But doubt not aught from mine array. 80 Thou art my guest; I pledged my word As far as Coilantogle ford;

Nor would I call a clansman's brand For aid against one valiant hand, Though on our strife lay every vale 85 Rent by the Saxon from the Gael."

1 Glaive, sword.

2 Targe, shield.

4

Jack, leather coat for defense.
Apparition, unnatural sight.

5 Saxon and Gael. The Gaels, or Gauls, were the early inhabitants of Scotland and the ancestors of Roderick and other " Highlanders." The Saxons were originally from northern Europe and overran England and southern Scotland. The English and "Lowland" Scotch were called Saxons; King James was hence a ::Saxon."