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. [Footnote 8: This castle and its fortifications were demolished by Sir Eustace Maxwell, (the steady, warm-hearted friend of King Robert Bruce,) lest it should fall into the hands of the enemy: and for which generous action lands were given to him, the tenure by which he held them being thus noticed:--"_Pro fractione et prostratione castri de Caerlaverock_," &c. &c.] 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." [Footnote 9: Dalrymple's Memoirs.] 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.