90 SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



mountains to the sands of the Delta, but is useful only when it ramifies into 

 myriads of obscure channels, so as to irrigate and fertilize the neighbouring 



fields."* 



From the history of the Castle, we shall only indulge in one or two anecdotes. 

 At a time when the country was divided between the claims of Bruce and 

 Baliol, and the Castle occupied by an English garrison— Randolph, the nephew 

 of Bruce, and better known as the chivalrous earl of Moray, made an advance 

 upon the fortress, but, well acquainted with its strength, surveyed the battlements 

 with keen but hopeless scrutiny. From its bastion the English standard waved, 

 and the sentinel paced in security — a sight which melted the patriotic Scot, 

 as he regarded these emblems of his country's bondage, and felt his own help- 

 lessness in her cause. 



Rightly interpreting the feelings of his chief, and ready to second him in 

 every crisis, a faithful and heroic follower of the name of Franks thus addressed 

 him: — " My lord, if I may ventirre to guess the longing look with which he 

 regards the fortress, would like to see it change masters — haul down St. George, 

 and hoist St. Andrew and the thistle ?" — " Ay, by the rood," said Randolph, 

 " thou hast well interpreted ! and were my looks as legible on yonder rampart, 

 we should have a shower of arrows for our pains." — " No, my lord," said Franks, 

 " thcv are too much at rest, and short-sighted, to read at this distance ; and, 

 now that they have caged the suspected governor, suppose that every other 

 avenue against a Scottish spear is closed ; but there are more ways of winning 

 a fortress than through the favour of Piers Leland." — " "Would, then, they 

 were discovered !" exclaimed Randolph. " But there is mystery in ' thy face 

 — and if I did not know thy tried courage and honesty, I might solve it to 

 thy disadvantage. Thou smilest ! Is this place or season for mirth ?" — " Only 

 a pleasing dream," replied Franks—" the memory of other days! but the 

 thought comes opportunely, and may serve our purpose." " Such a thought," 

 exclaimed the earl, " were worth a kingdom — and, dreamer as thou art, 

 expound !" — " In a word, then," said Franks, " my father was keeper of that 

 fortress; audi, his son, young, and given to love and relaxation, laid several 

 plans for their indulgence. A fair maid of the city, with wliom I was studious 

 of being on good terms, rendered my duty on the rocks irksome, and set me 

 on devising means for a starlight interview. My wits, too, were sharpened on 

 the occasion by a rival, who, measuring the heiglit of our ramparts, thought 

 himself sufficiently warranted from any intrusion of mine to press his suit in 



* Sec tlie " Uccess," by James Johnson, M.D., Physician to the King. London, 1835. 



