Baliol and Comyn had in turn betrayed the country to the English, and Bruce had hitherto been regarded as even more strongly devoted to the English cause than they had been.

Thus the people viewed his attempt rather as an effort to win a throne for himself than as one to free Scotland from English domination.

They had naturally no confidence in the nobles who had so often betrayed them, and Bruce especially had, three or four times already, after taking up arms, made his peace with England and fought against the Scots.

Therefore, at first the people looked on at the conflict with comparative indifference.
They were ready enough to strike for freedom, as they had proved when they had rallied round Wallace, but it was necessary before they did so that they should possess confidence in their leaders.
Such confidence they had certainly no cause whatever to feel in Bruce.

The time was yet to come when they should recognize in him a leader as bold, as persevering, and as determined as Wallace himself.
The people of Rathlin were rude and ignorant, but simple and hospitable.