reats, his
suspicions are excited by the conduct of his guide, and confirmed
by the warnings of a mad woman whom they encounter. His false guide
discharges an arrow at him, which kills the maniac. The knight
slays the murderer; and learning from the expiring victim that her
brain had been turned by the cruelty of Sir Roderick Dhu, he vows
vengeance. When chilled with the midnight cold and exhausted with
fatigue, he suddenly comes upon a chief reposing by a lonely
watch-fire; and being challenged in the name of Roderick Dhu,
boldly avows himself his enemy. The clansman, however, disdains to
take advantage of a worn-out wanderer; and pledges him safe escort
out of Sir Roderick's territory, when he must answer his defiance
with his sword. The stranger accepts these chivalrous terms; and
the warriors sup and sleep together. This ends the fourth canto.

"At dawn, the knight and the mountaineer proceed toward the Lowland
frontier. A dispute arises concerning the character of Roderick
Dhu, and the knight expresses his desire to meet in person and do
vengeance upon the predatory chief. 'Have then thy wish!' answers
his guide; and gives a loud whistle. A whole legion of armed men
start up from their mountain ambush in the heath; while the chief
turns proudly and says, 'I am Roderick Dhu!' Sir Roderick then by a
signal dismisses his men to their concealment. Arrived at his
frontier, the chief forces the knight to stand upon his defense.
Roderick, after a hard combat is laid wounded on the ground;
Fitz-James, sounding his bugle, brings four squires to his side;
and, after giving the wounded chief into their charge, gallops
rapidly on towards Stirling. As he ascends the hill to the castle,
he descries approaching the same place the giant form of Douglas,
who has come to deliver himself up to the King, in order to save
Malcolm Graeme and Sir Roderick from the impending danger. Before
entering the castle, Douglas is seized with the whim to engage in
the holiday sports which are going forward outside; he wins prize
after prize, and receives his reward from the hand of the prince,
who, however does not condescend to recognize his former favorite.
Roused at last by an insult from one of the royal grooms, Douglas
proclaims himself, and is ordered into custody by the