tural gallantry, took the weaker side, and laid
about with his flail so effectually as to disperse the assailants, well
thrashed, even according to the letter. He then conducted the King into
his barn, where his guest requested a basin and a towel, to remove the
stains of the broil. This being procured with difficulty, James employed
himself in learning what was the summit of the deliverer's earthly
wishes, and found that they were bounded by the desire of possessing, in
property, the farm of Braehead, upon which he labored as a bondsman. The
lands chanced to belong to the Crown; and James directed him to come to
the palace of Holyrood and inquire for the Guidman (that is, farmer) of
Ballenguich, a name by which he was known in his excursions, and which
answered to the Il Bondocani of Haroun Alraschid. He presented himself
accordingly, and found, with due astonishment, that he had saved his
monarch's life, and that he was to be gratified with a crown charter of
the lands of Braehead, under the service of presenting a ewer, basin,
and towel for the King to wash his hands when he shall happen to pass
the bridge of Cramond. This person was ancestor of the Howisons of
Braehead, in Mid-Lothian, a respectable family, who continue to hold the
lands (now passed into the female line) under the same tenure. [15]

"Another of James's frolics is thus narrated by Mr. Campbell from the
Statistical Account: 'Being once benighted when out a-hunting, and
separated from his attendants, he happened to enter a cottage in the
midst of a moor, at the foot of the Ochil hills, near Alloa, where,
unknown, he was kindly received. In order to regale their unexpected
guest, the gudeman desired the gudewife to fetch the hen that roosted
nearest the cock, which is always the plumpest, for the stranger's
supper. The King, highly pleased with his night's lodging and hospitable
entertainment, told mine host, at parting, that he should be glad
to return his civility, and requested that the first time he came to
Stirling he would call at the Castle, and inquire for the Gudeman
of Ballenguich. Donaldson, the landlord, did not fail to call on the
Gudeman of Ballenguich, when his astonishment at finding that the King
had been his guest afforded no small amusement to the merry monarch
and his courtiers; and to carry on the pleasantry, he was thenceforth
designated by James with the title of King of the Moors, which name and
designation have descended from fa