Other imperative matters now pressed round him, and by presenting fresh and increased danger, roused his energies once more to their wonted action.
The winter had set in with unexampled severity, overwhelming snow-storms filled up the rude paths of the mountains, till egress and ingress appeared impossible.

The Earl of Athol himself, who had been the inseparable companion of the Bruce in all his wanderings, now spoke of retiring, and passing the winter within stone walls, urging his sovereign with earnest eloquence to take refuge in Ireland till the spring, when they would reassemble under arms, and perhaps take the tyrant Edward once more by surprise.
Bruce knew the veteran nobleman too well to attribute this advice to any motive save deep interest in his safety.

He saw, too, that it was utterly impossible for them to remain as they then were, without serious evils alike to his female and male companions; the common soldiers, steady and firm as they still continued in loyalty, yet were continually dispersing, promising to reassemble in the spring, but declaring that it was useless to think of struggling against the English, when the very elements were at war against them.

With a sad foreboding, Robert saw, and communicated to his devoted wife the necessity of their separation.
He felt that it was right and best, and therefore he resisted all her tearful entreaties still to linger by his side; her child was suffering, for her tender years could not bear up against the cold and the want of proper nourishment, and yet even that claim seemed less to the mother's heart than the vision of her husband enduring increase of hardship alone.

Her acquiescence was indeed at length obtained, but dimmed by many very bitter tears.
A hasty consultation with his few remaining friends speedily decided the Bruce's plans.