Upon one occasion Lord Maxwell saved the life of Sir David Bruce. They were one day, during college vacation, amusing themselves in fishing for pike and perch in a small row-boat on the Loch of Lindores; when suddenly a squall of wind coming on, the boat overset. Bruce, not knowing how to swim, would certainly have been drowned; but Lord Maxwell said: "Be calm, and I will save you;—be firm, and fear not!—Closely lock your arms around my waist; but do not by any means impede my exertions, and trust me I shall bring you safe to shore."
Lord Maxwell faithfully fulfilled his promise, by conducting his friend with the utmost safety to land, which they at length providentially reached, both much wearied and exhausted, having had a considerable distance to swim.
This adventure still further increased that mutual regard and friendship which had long existed between them. Danger, like death, is a leveller of all distinctions; it places those mutually encountering it on an equality, and forms a bond of union not easy to be broken. It can then be well imagined how much this event tended to strengthen and confirm a friendship that was not of hasty growth.
The terms necessary to be kept at the university having now expired. Lord Maxwell and Sir David Bruce took their departure from it, with the regard and regret of all who knew them;—the former returning to his ancient and magnificent castle of Caerlaverock,[8] in Dumfrieshire; when Sir David Bruce retired to his brother's residence at Turnberry Castle, in Ayrshire.
David was truly glad to meet his brother after so long an absence, and Robert kindly received him. Here the brothers passed their time in rural sports and pastimes, enjoying the sun and summer months in admiring the views of nature; never within the castle during the day-time, often wandering even at night in the open air, among the mountains and the woods. The winter they spent in the chase, while the sun was up;[9] or in practising the broad sword, at which David was particularly expert. For
"The sword that seem'd fit for archangel to wield,
Was light in his terrible hand."
In archery, and in wielding the Lochabor axe, they were both equally skilled. Their evenings they passed in assembling, with their surrounding neighbours, around the social fire in the great baronial hall, or entertaining themselves with the song, the tale, and the dance.
To the pleasures arising from the perusal of history and poetry, David united a fine taste for music; and to these were added an ardent love of classical learning, and an enthusiastic admiration of the scenery of nature. Every day witnessed him to wander abroad and gaze with rapture on the expanded lake, the lofty mountain, the frowning rock, and the thundering cataract. These extended and elevated his strong mind, on which was stamped the impress and originality of thought, an unshaken independence of mind, emanating from Nature herself.—Refinement in sentiment was contrasted to strength and hardiness of body. His manners were polite and endearing, as his deportment was simple and unassuming: