THE TUBNBULL LEGEND. 127 



difficult matter to accomplish), in a very short time they 

 would die of grief. If, however, they find that they 

 are pursued, they rush with the greatest impetuosity 

 against any man, and soon prostrate him, fearing neither 

 dogs, nor spears, nor any other weapon. 



"It is related, too, that Robert Bruce, after he had 

 obtained the kingdom, and peace was restored, had a 

 narrow escape from death while hunting for the sake of 

 recreation. For while wandering about somewhat 

 negligently, wherever inclination led him, and apart 

 from his companions, there met and attacked him a bull 

 of this breed which had been wounded by a spear, and 

 which, impelled by rage, threatened him with imme- 

 diate destruction ; nor was there any way in which the 

 king could escape from the impending danger. But 

 while all looked on, stupefied with fear, a certain man, 

 instantly resolving to sacrifice his life for the king, 

 seized the wild animal by the horns ; and resisting him 

 with, his utmost strength, not only stopped his im- 

 petuous course, but, unhurt himself, with great valour 

 prostrated the beast upon the ground, where it was 

 immediately despatched by the spears of the attendants, 

 who ran in : and thus he was the means of averting: the 

 death which threatened the king. * Grateful for the 

 preservation of his life, the king endowed him richly, and 

 willed that thereafter he should be called Turnbull, 

 which means — The man who overthrew the bull. 

 There still exist families of this name of no incon- 

 siderable rank, whose name and fortunes, it is said, have 

 their first origin from. him. 



" The flesh of these animals is most pleasant eating, 

 and especially grateful to the noblesse ; but though they 



* See Appendix. 



