Although an accession of numbers was by no means desirable, and the hardships of such a life immense for ladies to support, there was no other resource but for them to join the party, as they would otherwise have speedily fallen into the hands of the English.

Therefore Bruce, accompanied by some of his followers, rode to Aberdeen and escorted the queen and ladies to his mountain retreat.
It was a strange life that Bruce, his queen, and his little court led.

Sleeping in rough arbours formed of boughs, the party supported themselves by hunting and fishing.
Gins and traps were set in the streams, and Douglas and Archie were specially active in this pursuit; Archie's boyish experience at Glen Cairn serving him in good stead.

Between him and Sir James Douglas a warm friendship had sprung up.

Douglas was four years his junior.