In early life, Wood became a merchant trader, and, in that capacity, sailed between Scotland and various parts of the Continent. At that time such a man, of course, played a very different part from a person engaged in commercial affairs in our days. Wood not only bought and sold, but commanded his own ships, carried guns and other weapons for defence, fought his way from port to port, and held his own against pirates, Easterlings, English cruisers, and foes of every description. The career of a merchant was, in that age, one of constant peril, and bore little resemblance to that of the man who spends his days at the desk or on the Exchange, and passes his nights with his head on a pillow, and his property secure under protection of recognised laws. He fed with his faculties on the watch, and slept with arms by his side, ready to start up and encounter any emergency.

During the fifteenth century Leith was rapidly rising into importance, and Andrew Wood, when ashore, made that seaport his home. On such occasions, however, he must have reminded his friends of a fish out of the water. His real home was the deck of the "Flower" or the "Yellow Carvel," or some other of the vessels which he had built, and with which he traded to Holland and the Hanse Towns. Nevertheless, he was often mentioned as "Andrew Wood of Leith," and regarded as an enterprising man, who sailed to strange lands, who studied navigation and gunnery, and who had allured into his service foreign sea captains of great experience.

As time passed on, and his reputation as a seaman extended, Andrew Wood attracted the notice of James the Third, who then reigned in Scotland. A weak

prince, but not without redeeming qualities, James prided himself on being the patron of men devoted to art and architecture; and naturally evinced his appreciation of such a navigator as Andrew Wood. Accordingly the King having appointed the gallant captain as royal pilot, granted him the lands of Largo on condition of his always keeping the "Yellow Carvel” in readiness to take on board James and Margaret of Norway his young queen, when they wished to go on a pilgrimage to the chapel of St. Andrew, in the Isle of May; and Wood, besides directing the attention of James to naval architecture, well repaid the monarch's favour by his loyal fidelity in the hour of need.

It would seem that the preference shown by James to artists and architects was far from agreeable to Scottish magnates. Indeed the Homes, Douglases, and Hepburns expressed the most intense disgust with the minions the King patronised; and finally, in 1488, forming a strong league, they indicated their determination to hurl him from the throne. Aware of his danger, the King resolved to repair to the north, where the chiefs continued comparatively loyal; and with that object summoned Andrew Wood, who at the time had a vessel ready to sail for Flanders. Without in the least considering the consequences of offending the barons, the captain hurried to the rescue of his sovereign, conducted him on board, set him ashore in Fife, to proceed to the northern counties, and afterwards bringing him back, landed him at Blackness. Soon after James attempted to seize the castle of Stirling, but the governor refusing him admittance, gave up his son James to the insurgent lords. The illstarred King, instead of taking refuge on board of

Wood's vessels, resolved on risking an engagement at Sauchie Burn. At first the King's men charged with such vigour that the main body of the baronial army gave way. But the fortune of the day quickly turned. Lord Home and the Earl of Angus, bringing up the Borderers with their long spears, swept away the royal army as the wind scatters leaves, and deprived the King's adherents of all hope.

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Meanwhile James had fled from the field. ing that his son was with the lords, and seeing his own banner displayed against him, the poor King lost heart, turned his horse's head, and galloped from the scene of action. But he was not destined to escape. His horse, starting at a woman carrying a pitcher of water, threw the royal rider violently on the ground; and, having been carried into a mill, he was assassinated by one of his pursuers, who pretended to be a priest.

For some time the baronial chiefs remained in ignorance of the King's fate, and being uncertain whether or not he had perished, experienced considerable perplexity. Moreover, young James, having passed from the field of Sauchie to Stirling, and heard the monks in the chapel royal bewailing the King's death, was seized with the most painful remorse. Both Prince and Barons were therefore cager for intelligence, and learning that Andrew Wood, with the "Flower" and the "Yellow Carvel," was travishing up and down the Forth," that boats had taken wounded men out to these vessels; and supposing that the King might have escaped on board, they hastened to Leith, and sent messengers to summon the captain to appear before the council.

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At first Andrew Wood hesitated. But after arranging that Lord Fleming and Lord Seton should be sent on board as securities for his being allowed to return in safety, he consented. He then placed his ships under the command of his brother, with orders to hang up the hostages in the event of any treachery being practised; and having taken these precautions, he entered his boat, went ashore, landed at Leith, and entering the council chamber presented himself to young James and the assembled lords.

Sir," said James, who appears to have fancied that the sea captain was the King in disguise," are you my -father?"

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No," said Wood, as the tears rolled down his cheeks, "I am not your father: but I was your father's true servant, and shall be to his authority till I die, and an enemy to them who were the occasion of his down-putting."

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But," cried the lords, "tell what you know of the King, and where he is."

"I know nothing of the King, nor where he is," was the reply.

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"Then," asked the lords, "who were they that came out of the field and passed to your ships in the fleet boats?"

"It was I and my brother," answered Wood, "who were ready to have laid down our lives in the King's defence."

"Is he not in your ships?" again demanded the lords.

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No," answered Wood, "he is not. But would to God he were there safely! I should defend and keep him scathless from all the traitors that have cruelly

murdered him. And I trust to see the day that will see them hanged and drawn for their demerits."

It was doubtless well for Andrew Wood, when he used such language, that he held Lord Fleming and Lord Seton as security for his safe return. As it was, the delay somewhat irritated his friends, and the two lords began to tremble for their necks. After considerable suspense, however, Wood's boat was observed to leave the shore; and the Captain appearing on board, relieved the hostages from their unpleasant predicament. But the baronial leaders were the reverse of easy at the idea of so staunch a friend of the departed king being at large; and resolving on sacrificing him to their resentment and apprehensions, they summoned all the skippers and mariners at Leith, in the hope of finding some Scottish sea king bold enough to execute their project.

“We are ready," said the lords, "to furnish artillery, men, and money to your contentment, if you will sail against Wood and lay hold of him."

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Ay," said all the skippers, "but that is more than we will venture to attempt."

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My lords," said the celebrated Captain Andrew Barton, "the fact is, there are not ten ships in Scotland that would give Andrew Wood's two ships the combat; for he is so well practised in war, and has such artillery and men, that it is hard dealing with him by sea or land."

Finding no seaman ready or willing to undertake their commission, the Scottish lords left Wood at liberty to navigate the sea; while they, proceeding to Edinburgh, crowned young James as king. This led to results hardly anticipated. The young monarch,