 CHAPTER 51 The few chieftains who had remained on their estates during the suspense before the battle, from a belief that, if the issue proved unfavorable, they should be safest amongst their native glens, now came with numerous trains to greet the return of their victorious regent. The ladies brought forth their most splendid apparel, and the houses of sterling were hung with tapestry to hail with due respect the benefactor of the land. At last the hour arrived when a messenger, whom Lord Marr had sent out for the purpose, returned on full speed with information that the regent was passing the cairn. At these tidings the animated old earl called out his retinue, mounted his coal black steed, and ordered a sumptuous charger to be capparizoned with housings wrought in gold by the hands of Lady Marr and her ladies. The horse was intended to meet Wallace and to bring him into the city. Edwin led it forward. In the rear of the earl's Marr and Badanock came all the chieftains of the country, in gallant array. Their ladies, unsplendid Palfreys, followed the superb car of the Countess of Marr, and, proceeding the multitudes of sterling, left the town a desert. Not a living being seemed now within its walls except the southern prisoners, who had assembled on the top of the citadel to view the return of their conqueror. Helen remained in Snodoon, believing that she was the only soul left in that vast palace. She sat, musing on the extraordinary fate of Wallace, a few months ago a despised outlaw, at this moment the idol of the nation, and then turned to herself, the wood of many a gallant heart, and now devoted to one, whom like the sun she must ever contemplate with admiration, while he should pass on above her sphere, unconscious of the devotion which filled her soul. The distant murmur of the populace thronging out of the streets toward the karse gradually subsided, and at last she was left in profound silence. He must be near, thought she, he whose smile is more precious to me than the adulation of all the world besides, now smiles upon every one. All look upon him, all hear him, but I—and I—ah, Wallace, did Marian love thee, dearer? As her devoted heart demanded this question, her tender and delicate soul shrunk within herself, and deeply blushing she hid her face in her hands. A pause of a few minutes, and the sound as if the skies were rent, tore the air. A noise, like the distant roar of the sea, succeeded, and soon after the shouts of an approaching multitude shook the palace to its foundations. Helen started on her feet. The tumult of voices augmented, the sound of coming squadrons thundered over the ground. At this instant every bell in the city began its peals, and the door of Helen's room suddenly opened. Lady Ruthven hurried in. Helen cried she, I would not disturb you before, but as you were to be absent, I would not make one in Lady Mar's train, and I come to enjoy with you the return of our beloved regent. Helen did not speak, but her eloquent countenance amply told her aunt what were the emotions of her heart, and Lady Ruthven, taking her hand, attempted to draw her toward an orial window which opened to a view of the high street. But Helen, shrinking from the movement, begged to be excused. I hear enough, said she, my dear aunt, sights like these overcome me, let me remain where I am. Lady Ruthven was going to remonstrate when the loud hazzaz of the people and soldiers, accompanied by acclamations of Long Live Victorious Wallace, our prince and king, struck Helen back into her seat, and Lady Ruthven, darting toward the window, cried aloud, he comes, Helen, he comes. His bonnet off his noble brow. Oh, how princely does he look! And now he bows! Ah, they shower flowers upon him from the houses on each side of the street! How sweetly he smiles and bows to the ladies as they lean from their windows! Come, Helen, come if you would see the perfection of majesty and modesty united in one! Helen did not move, but Lady Ruthven, stretching out her arm, in a moment had drawn her within view of Wallace. She saw him attended as a conqueror and a king, but with the eyes of a benefactor and a brother he looked on all around. The very memory of war seemed to vanish before his presence, for all was love and gentleness. Helen drew a quick sigh, and closing her eyes, dropped against the heiress. She now heard the buzz of many voices, the rolling peal of acclamations, but she distinguished nothing. Her senses were in tumult, and had not Lady Ruthven seen her disorder she would have fallen motionless to the floor. The good matron was not so forgetful of the feelings of a virtuous youthful heart, not to have discovered something of what was passing in that of her niece. From the moment in which she had suspected that Wallace had made a serious impression there, she dropped all trifling with his name. And now that she saw the distressing effects of that impression, with revolved feelings she took the fainting Helen in her arms, and laying her on a couch by the aid of volatiles restored her to recollection. Seeing she recovered she made no observation on this emotion, and Helen leaned her head and wept upon the bosom of her aunt. Lady Ruthven's tears silently mingled with hers, but she said within herself, Wallace cannot be always insensible to so much excellence. As the acclaiming populace passed the palace on their way to the citadel, whether they were escorting their regent, Helen remained quiet in her leaning position, but when the noise died away into hoarse murmurs she raised her head, and glancing on the tear-bathed face of her affectionate aunt, said, with a forced smile, my more-than-mother fear me not. I am grateful to Sir William Wallace. I venerate him as the Southerens do their St. George. But I need not your tender pity. As she spoke her beautiful lip quivered, but her voice was steady. My sweetest Helen, replied Lady Ruthven, how can I pity her for whom I hope everything? Hope nothing for me, returned Helen, understanding by her looks what her tongue had left unsaid. But to see me avestal here, and a saint in heaven. What can my Helen mean? replied Lady Ruthven. Who would talk of being avestal with such a heart in view as that of the regent of Scotland? And that it will be yours, does not his eloquent gratitude declare? No, my aunt, answered Helen, casting down her eyes. Gratitude is eloquent where love would be silent. I am not so sacrilegious as to wish that Sir William Wallace should transfer that heart to me, which the blood of Marion for ever purchased. No, should these people compel him to be their king, I will retire to some monastery, and forever devote myself to God and to prayers for my country. The holy composure which spread over the countenance and figure of Helen, as she uttered this, seemed to extend itself to the before eager mind of Lady Ruthven. She pressed her tenderly in her arms, and kissing her, gentlest of human beings, cried she, whatever be thy lot it must be happy. Where it be, answered Helen, I know that there is an almighty reason for it. I shall understand it in the world to come, and I cheerfully acquiesce in this. Oh, that the ears of Wallace could hear thee, cried Lady Ruthven. They will, some time, my gracious aunt, answered she with an angelic smile. When, where, dearest, asked Lady Ruthven, hoping that she began to have fairer anticipations for herself. Helen answered not, but pointing to the sky, rose from her seat within air as if she were really going to ascend to those regions which seemed best fitted to receive her pure spirit. Lady Ruthven gazed on her in speechless admiration, and without a word, or an impeding motion, felt Helen softly kiss her hand, and with another seraphic smile, glied gently from her into her closet and closed the door. Far different were the emotions which agitated the bosoms of every person present at the entry of Sir William Wallace. Albut himself regarded it as the triumph of the King of Scotland. And while some of the nobles exalted in their future monarch, the major part felt the demon of envy so possessed their souls, that they who, before his arrival, were ready to worship his name, now looked on the empire to which he seemed born on the hearts of the people, with a rancorous jealousy, which from that moment vowed his humiliation or the fall of Scotland. The very tongues which, in general acclaim, called loudest, long live our King, belong to those who, in the secret recesses of their souls, swore to work his ruin, and to make these full-blown honors the means of his destruction. He had in vain tried to check what his moderate desires seemed the extravagant gratitude of the people, but finding his efforts only excited still louder demonstrations of their love, and knowing himself immovable in his resolution to remain a subject of the crown, he wrote on composedly toward the citadel. Those ladies who had not retired from the cavalcade to hail their region to second time from their windows preceded him in Lady Mar's train to the hall, where she had caused a sumptuous feast to be spread to greet his arrival. Two seats were placed under a canopy of cloth of gold at the head of the board. The countess stood there in all the splendor of her ideal rank, and would have seated Wallace in the royal chair on her right hand, but he drew back. I am only a guest in this citadel, returned he, and it would ill become me to take the place of the master of the banquet. As he spoke, he looked on Lord Mar, who, understanding the language of his eyes, which never said the thing he would not, without word took the kingly seat, and so disappointed the countess. By this refusal she still found herself as no more than the governor of Sterling's wife, when she had hoped a compliance with her cunning arrangement would have hinted to all that she was to be the future queen of their acknowledged sovereign. They knew Wallace, saw his unshaken resolution in this apparently slight action, but others who read his design in their own ambition translated it differently, and deemed it only an artful rejection of the appendages of royalty to excite the impatience of the people to crown him in reality. As the ladies took their seats at the board, Edwin, who stood by the chair of his beloved Lord, whispered, Our Helen is not here. Lady Mar overheard the name of Helen, but she could not distinguish Wallace's reply, and fearing that some second asignation of more happy termination than that of the chapel might be designed, she determined that if Edwin were to be the bearer of a secret correspondence between the man she loved and the daughter she hated, to deprive them speedily of so ready an assistant. End of Chapter 51 Chapter 52 of the Scottish Chiefs This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org The Scottish Chiefs by Miss Jane Porter Chapter 52, Banks of the Fourth In the collected council of the following day, the Earl of March made his treacherous request, and Wallace, trusting his vehement oaths of fidelity, because he thought the versatile Earl had now discovered his true interest, granted him charge of the Lothians. The Lord's Athel and Buckin were not backward in offering their services to the regent, and the rest of the discontented people, following the base example with equal deceit, bade him command their lives and fortunes. While a severations of loyalty filled the walls of the council hall, and the lauding rejoicings of the people still sounded from without, all spoke of security and confidence to Wallace, and never perhaps did he think himself so absolute in the hark of Scotland, as at the very moment when three states of its nobility were plotting his destruction. Lord Locaw knew his own influence in the minds of the bravest chieftains. From the extent of his territories and his tried valor, he might well have assumed the title of his great ancestor, and been called King of Woody Morven. But he was content with a patriarch sway over so many valiant clans, and previous to the regent's appearance in the council hall, he opened his intentions to the assembled lords. Some assented with real satisfaction, the rest readily acquaced, and what they had laid so sure a plan to circumvent. Wallace soon after entered. Locaw, rising, stood forth before him, and in a long and persuasive speech once more declared the wishes of the nation that he would strike the decisive blow on the pretensions of Edward by himself, accepting the crown. The bishop of Dunkeld, with all the eloquence of learning, and the most animated devotion to the interest of Scotland, seconded the petition. Marr and Bothwell enforced it. The disaffected lords thought proper to throw in their conjurations also, and every voice but that of Badenoch poured forth fervent in treaties that he, their liberator, would grant the supplication of the nation. Wallace rose, and every tongue was mute. My gratitude to Scotland increases with my life, but my answer must still be the same. I cannot be its king. At these words, the venerable Locaw threw himself on his knees before him. In my person, cried he, see Scotland at your feet, still bleeding with the effects of former struggles for empire, she would throw off all claims but those of virtue, and receive as her anointed sovereign her father and deliverer. She has no more arguments to utter, these are her prayers and thus I offer them. Kneel not to me, brave Locaw, cried Wallace, nor believe the might of these victories lies so thoroughly on this arm that I dare outrage its maker. Where I to comply with your wishes, I should disobey him who has hitherto made me his happy agent. And how could I guard my kingdom from his vengeance? Your rightful king yet lives. He is an alien from his country, but heaven may return him to your prayers. Meanwhile, as his representative, as your soldier and protector, I shall be blessed and wearing out my life. My ancestors were ever faithful to the blood of Alexander, and in the same fidelity, I will die. The firmness with which he spoke, and the determined expression of his noble countenance, convinced Locaw that he was not to be shaken, and rising from his knee, he bowed in silence. March, whispered the bucking, Behold the hypocrite, but we shall unmask him. He thinks to blind us to his towering ambition by this afflicted moderation. He will not be called a king, because whether a crown certain limitations are laid on the prerogative, but he will be a regent, than he may be our dictator, and every day demand gratitude for voluntary services which, performed as a king, could only be considered as his duty. When the council broke up, these sentiments were actively disseminated among the disaffected throng, and each gloomy recess in the woods murmured with seditious meetings. But every lip in the country at large breathed the name of Wallace as they would have done a gods, while the land that he had blessed bloomed on every hill and valley like a garden. Sterling now exhibited a constant carnival. Peace was in every heart and joy its companion. As Wallace had commanded in the field, he decided in the judgement hall, and while all as the heists were obeyed with a promptitude which kept the machine of state constantly moving in the most beautiful order, his bitterest enemies could not but secretly acknowledge the perfection they were determined to destroy. His munificent hand stretched itself far and near, that all who had shared the sufferings of Scotland might drink largely of her prosperity. The good abbot of Schoen was invited from his hermitage, and when he heard from the ambassadors sent to him that the brave young warrior whom he had entertained was the resistless Wallace, he no longer thought of the distant and supine Bruce, but centred every wish for his country and authority of her deliverer. A few days brought him to Sterling, and wishing to remain near the most constant residence of his noble friend, he requested that instead of being restored to Schoen he might be installed in the vacant monastery of Cambus Kenneth. Wallace gladly acquiesced, and the venerable abbot being told that his late charge, the Lady Helen, was in the palace went to visit her, and as he communicated his exultation and happiness, she rejoiced in the benedictions which his grateful spirit invoked on the head of her almost worshipped sovereign. Her heart gave him his title, which he believed that not to be repressed to fiction of the people would it last force him to accept. The wives and families of the Lanark veterans were brought from Loch Dine, and again planted in their native valleys. Thus, not in the kingdom appeared different from its most prosperous days, but the widowed heart of the dispenser of all this good. And yet, so fully did he engage himself in the creation of these benefits, that no time seemed left to him for regrets, but they haunted him like persecuting spirits, invisible to all but himself. During the performance of these things, the Countess of Mar, though apparently close to all other pursuits than the peaceable enjoyment of her reflected dignities, was absorbed in the one great object of her passion. Eager to be rid of so dangerous a spy and adversary as she deemed Edwin to be, she was laboring day and night to effect by clandestine schemes his banishment. When an unforeseen circumstance carried him far away, Lord Ruthervin, while on an embassy to the Hebrides, fell ill. As his disorder was attended with extreme danger, he sent for his wife and Edwin, impelled by love for his father and anxiety to soothe the terrified suspense of his mother, readily left the sight of his friend to accompany her to the Isles. Lady Mar had now no scrutinising eye to fear. Her nephew Murray was still on duty in Clydesdale. The Earl, her husband, trusted her too implicitly even to turn on her a suspicious look. And Helen, she contrived, she'd be as little in her presence as possible. Busy then, as this lady was, the enemies of the Regent were not less active in the prosecution of their plans. The Earl of March had arrived at Dunbar and, having dispatched his reasonable proposals to Edward, he received letters from that monarch by sea, accepting his services and promising every reward that could satisfy his ambition and the cupidity of those whom he could draw over to his cause. The weary King then told the Earl that if he would send his wife and family to London as hostages for his faith he was ready to bring a mighty army to Dunbar, and by that gate once more enter Scotland. These negotiations, backward and forward from London to Dunbar and from Dunbar to the treacherous lords at Stirling, occupied much time, and the more, as great precaution was necessary to escape the vigilant eyes of Wallis, which seemed to be present in every part of the kingdom at once. So careful was he in overlooking by as well chosen officers, civil and military every transaction that the slightest dereliction from the straight order of things was immediately seen and examined into. Many of these trusty magistrates having been placed in the Lothians before March took the government, he could now not remove without exciting suspicion. And therefore as they remained great circumspection was used to elude their watchfulness. From the time that Edward had again entered into the terms of British chiefs, Lord March sent regular tidings to Lord Sulis of the progress of the negotiations. He knew that noblemen would gladly welcome the recall of the King of England. Forever since the revolution in favour of Scotland he had remained obstinately shut up within his castle of Hermitage. Chagrin that having lost Helen was not the least of his mortifications and the wounds he had received from the invisible hand which had released her having been given with all the might of the valiant arm which directed the blow were not even now healed. His passions kept them still inflamed and their smart made his vengeance burn the furser against Wallace was the mysterious agent of her rescue. While Treason secretly prepared to spring its mine beneath the feet of the regent he, unsuspicious that any could be discontented where all were free and prosperous, thought of no enemy to the tranquil fulfilment of his duties but the minor persecutions of Lady Marre. No day escaped without bringing him letters either to invite him to Snowden or to lead her to the citadel where he resided. In every one of these episodes she declared that it was no longer the wildness of passion which impelled her to seek his society but the moderated regard of a friend. And though perfectly aware of all that was behind these asseverations for she had deceived him once into a displease and had made him feel its falseness he found himself forced at times out of the civility due to her sex to comply with her invitations. Indeed her conduct never gave him reason to hold her in any higher respect for whenever they happened to be left alone she made pretensions. The frequency of these scenes at last made him never go to Snowden unaccompanied for she rarely allowed him to have even a glimpse of Helen and by this precaution he avoided much of her solicitations but strange to say even at the time that this conduct by driving her to despair might have excited her to some desperate act her wayward heart through the blame of his coldness upon her tramples with Lord Maher and flattering herself that where he did all would happen as she wished she panted for that hour with an impatience which often tempted her to precipitate the event things were in this situation when Wallace one night received a hasty summons from his pillow by a page of Lord Maher's requesting him to immediately repair to his chamber concluding that something alarming must have happened he threw on his brigadine and plaid and entered the apartments of the governor Maher met him with a countenance the herald of a dreadful matter what has happened? inquired Wallace Treason answered Maher but from what point I cannot guess his daughter has braved a dark and lonely walk from Snowden to bring the proofs while speaking he led the chief into the room where Helen sat like some fairy specter of the night her long hair disordered by the winds of a nocturnal storm mingling with the grey folds of the mantle which enveloped her Wallace hastened forward she now no longer flitted away scared from his approach by the frowning glances of her stepmother she had once attempted to express his grateful regrets for what she had suffered in her lovely person for his sake but the countess had then interrupted him and Helen disappeared now he beheld her in a presence where he could declare all his gratitude without subjecting his gentle object to one harsh word in consequence and almost forgetting his errand to the governor and the tidings he had just heard he remembered only the manner in which she had shielded his life with her arms and he bent his knee respectfully before her as she rose to his approach blushing and silent she extended her hand to him to rise he pressed it warmly sweet excellence said he I am happy in this opportunity however gained to again pour out my acknowledgements to you and though I have been denied that pleasure until now yet the memory of your generous interest and the friend of your father is one of the most cherished sentiments of my heart it is my happiness as well as my duty sit William Wallace replied she to regard you and my country as one and that I hope will excuse the perhaps rash action of this night as she spoke he rose and looked at Lord Mar for explanation the Earl held a roll of vellum toward him this writing said he was found this evening by my daughter she was enjoying with my wife and other ladies a moonlight walk on the shores of the fourth behind the palace when having strayed at some distance from her friends she saw this packet lying in the path before her as if it had just been dropped it bore no direction she therefore opened it and part of the contents soon told her she must conceal the whole till she could reveal him to me not even to my wife did she entrust the dangerous secret nor would she run any risk by sending it by a messenger as soon as the family were gone to rest she wrapped herself in her plaid and finding a passage through one of the low embrasures of Snowden with a fleeting step made her way to the citadel and to me she gave me the packet read it my friend and judge if we do not owe ourselves to heaven for so critical a discovery Wallace took the scroll and read as follows our trusty fellows will bring you this and deliver copies of the same to the rest we shall be with you in four and twenty hours after it arrives the army of our liege lord is now in the Lothians passing through them under the appellation of sookers for the regent from the Hebrides keep all safe and neither himself nor any of his adherents shall have a head on their shoulders by this day week neither superscription name nor date was to this letter but Wallace immediately knew the handwriting to be that of Lord March then we must have traitors even within these walls exclaimed Mar none but the most powerful chiefs would the proud Cospatrick admit into his conspiracies and what are we to do for by tomorrow evening the army this traitor has let into the heart of this country will be at our gates no cried Wallace thanks to God and this guardian angel fervently clasping Helen's hand as he spoke we must not be intimidated by treachery let us be faithful to ourselves my veteran friend and all will go well it matters not who the other traitors are they must soon discover themselves and find us prepared to counteract their machinations sound your bugles my lord to summon the heads of her council at this command Helen arose but replaced herself in her chair on Wallace exclaiming stay lady Helen let the sight of such virgin delicacy braving the terrors of the night to warn betrayed Scotland nerve every heart with redoubled courage to breast this insidious foe Helen did indeed feel her soul awake to all its ancient patriotic enthusiasm and thus with a countenance pale but resplendent with the light of her thoughts she sat the angel of her heroic inspiration Wallace often turned to look in her while her eyes unconscious of the adoring admiration which spoke in their beams followed his godlike figure as it moved through the room with a step that cleared the undisturbed determination of his soul the Lord's both will lock all and bad enough were the first that obeyed the call they started at the sight of Helen but Wallace in a few words related the cause of her appearance and the pretentious later was laid before them all were acquainted with the handwriting of Lord March and all agreed in attributing to its real motive his late solicitude to obtain the command of the Lothians what cried both well but to open his castle gates to the enemy and to repel him before he reaches ours my brave chiefs replied Wallace I have summoned you Edward will not make this attempt without tremendous powers he knows what he risks his men, his life and his honour we must therefore expect a resolution in him adequate to such an enterprise lose then not a moment even tonight this instant and go out and bring in your followers I will call up mine from the banks of the Clyde and be ready to meet him ere he crosses the caroo while he gave these orders other nobles thronged in and Helen being severally thanked by them all became so agitated that stretching out her hand to Wallace who was nearest to her she softly whispered take me hence he read in her blushing face the oppression her modesty sustained in such a scene and with her faltering steps she leaned upon his arm as he conducted her to an interior chamber overcome by her former fears and the emotions of the last hour she sunk into a chair and burst into tears Wallace stood near her and as he looked on her he thought if all on earth ever resembled the beloved of my soul it is Helen Marr and all the tenderness which memory gave to his almost adored wife and all the grateful complacency with which he regarded Helen beamed at once from his eyes she raised her head she felt that it looked it thrilled to her soul for a moment every former thought seemed lost in one perception that he then gazed on her as he had never looked on any woman since his marion was she then beloved the impression was evanescent no, no she said to herself holding her hand gently to him with her head bent down leave me Sir William Wallace forgive me but I am exhausted my frame is weaker than my mind she spoke this at intervals and Wallace respectfully touching the hand she extended pressed it to his breast I obey you dear Lady Helen and when next we meet it will I hope be to dispel every fear in that gentle bosom she bowed her head without looking up and Wallace left the room End of Chapter 52 Recording by Stephen Lomas Chapter 53 of the Scottish Chiefs This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Scottish Chiefs by Miss Jane Porter Chapter 53 Falkirk Before the sun rose every brave Scott within a few hours March of Sterling was on the course and Lord Andrew Murray and his veteran Clydesdale men were already resting on their arms in view of the city walls The messengers of Wallace had hastened with the speed of the winds, east and west and the noon of the day but of thirty thousand men determined to fight or to die for their country The surrounding landscape shone in the brightness of mid-summer for it was the eve of St. Magdalene and sky and earth bore witness to the luxuriant month of July The heavens were clear the waters of the forth danced in the sunbeams and the flower enameled green of the extended plain stretched its beautiful borders to the deepening woods All nature smiled all seemed in harmony and peace but the breast of man He who was made lord of this paradise awoke to disturb its repose to disfigure its loveliness As the thronging legions poured upon the plain the sheep which had been feeding there fled scared to the hills The plover and heath fowl which nestled in the breaks rose affrighted from their infant broods and flew in screaming multitudes far over the receding valleys The peace of Scotland was again broken and its flocks and herds were to share When the conspiring lords appeared on the carce and Mar communicated to them the lately discovered treason they so well affected surprise at the contents of the scroll that Wallace might not have suspected their connection with it had not Lord Athol declared it altogether a forgery of some wanton persons and then added with bitterness to gather an army on such authority as ridiculous While he spoke Wallace regarded him with a look which pierced him to the center and the blood rushing into his guilty heart for once in his life he trembled before the eye of man Whoever be the degenerate Scott to whom this writing is addressed said Wallace, his baseness cannot betray us further The troops of Scotland are ready to meet the enemy and woe to the man who that day deserts his country Amen! cried Lord Mar Amen! sounded from every lip for when the conscience embraces treason against its earthly rulers allegiance to its heavenly king is abandoned with ease and the words and oaths of the traitor are equally unstable Badanock's eye followed that of Wallace and his suspicions fixed where the regents fell for the honor of his blood he forebored to accuse the Earl but for the same reason he determined to watch his proceedings however the hypocrisy of Athol baffled even the penetration of his brother and on his retiring from the ground to call forth his men for the expedition in an affected chafe he complained to Badanock the stigma cast upon their house by the regents implied charge but said he he shall see the honor of the cumin emblazoned in blood on the sands of the fourth his towering pride heaths not where it strikes and this comes of raising men of low estate to rule over princes his birth is noble if not royal replied Badanock and before this the posterity of kings have not disdained to recover their rights by the sword of a brave subject true answered Athol but is it customary for princes to allow that subject to sit on their throne it is nonsense to talk of Wallace having refused a coronation he laughs at the name but see you not that he openly affects supreme power that he rules the nobles of the land like a despot his word his nod is sufficient go here go there as if he were absolute and there was no voice in Scotland but his own look at the brave Mack Callenmore the lord of the west of Scotland from sea to sea he stands unbonneted before this mighty Wallace with a more abject homage than ever he paid to the house of Alexander can you behold this Lord Badanock and not find the royal blood of your descent boil in your veins does not every look of your wife the sister of a king and your own right stamped upon your soul reproach you he is greater by your strength humble him my brother be faithful to Scotland humble its proud dictator Lord Badanock replied to this rough exhortation with the tranquility belonging to his nature I see not the least foundations for any of your charges against Sir William Wallace he has delivered Scotland and the people are grateful the nation with one voice made him their regent and he fulfills the duties of his office but with a modesty Lord Athol which I must affirm I never saw equal I dissent from you in all that you have said and I confess I did fear the blandishing arguments of the faithless Cos Patrick had persuaded you to embrace his pernicious treason you deny it that as well prove your innocence at this juncture in the field against Scotland's enemies and John of Badanock will then see no impending cloud to darken the honour of the name of Cuman the brothers immediately separated and Athol calling his cousin Buchan arranged a new device to counteract the vigilance of the regent one of their means was to baffle his measures by stimulating the less treasonable but yet discontented chiefs to thwart him in every motion at the head of this last class was John Stuart Earl of Butte during the whole of the preceding year he had been in Norway and the first object he met on his return to Scotland was the triumphal entry of Wallace into Stirling aware of the consequence Stuart's name would attach to any cause Athol had gained his ear before he was introduced to the regent and then so poisoned his mind against Wallace that all that was well in him he deemed ill and ever spoke of his bravery with coldness and of his patriotism with disgust he believed him a hypocrite and as such despised and abhorred him while Athol marshaled his rebellious ranks some to follow his broad treason in the face of day and others to lurk behind and delude the entrusted council left in Stirling led forth his loyal chiefs to take their stations at the heads of their different clans Sir Alexander scrimgeor with the proudest expectations for Scotland unfurled his golden standard to the sun the Lord's lock all in Bothwell with others rode on the right of the regent Lord Andrew Murray with the brave Sir John Graham and a bevy of young knights kept the ground on his left Wallace looked around Edwin was far away and he felt but half appointed for wanting his youthful sword bearer that faithful friend did not even know of the threat and hostility for to have intimated to Lord Ruthfyn a danger he could not assist to repel would have inflamed his disorder by anxiety and perhaps hurried him to dissolution as the regent moved forward with these private affections checkering his public cares his heralds blew the trumpets of his approach and a hundred and battled clans appeared in the midst of the plane awaiting their valiant leaders each chief advanced to the head of his line and stood to hear the charge of Wallace brave Scots cried he treachery has admitted the enemy whom resolute patriotism had driven from our borders be steady in your fidelity to Scotland and he who hath hitherto protected the just cause will nerve your arms to lay invasion and its base co-ajuders again in the dust the cheers of anticipated victory birthed from the soldiers mingled with the clanger of their striking shields at the inspiring voice of their leader Wallace waved his trenching round which the plan of his array was wrapped to the chiefs to fall back toward their legions and while some appeared to linger Athel armed cap a pipe and spurring his road into the area before the regent demanded in a haughty tone which of the chiefs now in the field is to lead the vanguard the regent of Scotland replied Wallace for once asserting the majesty of his station and you Lord Athel with Lord Buchan are to defend your country under the command of the brave head of your house the princely Badanock I stir not from this spot returned Athel fiercely striking his lance into its rest till I see the honor of my country established in the eye of the world by a leader worthy of her rank being placed in her vanguard what he says cried Buchan I second and in the same spirit chieftain of illersly exclaimed Lord butte do I offer to Scotland myself and my people another must lead the van or I retire from her standard speak on cried Wallace more surprised than confounded by this extraordinary attack what these illustrious chiefs have uttered is the voice of us all was the general exclamation from a band of warriors who now thronged around the incendiary nobles your reign is over proud chieftain returned Athel the Scottish ranks are no longer to be cuddled by your affected moderation we see the tyrant in your insidious smile we feel him in the despotism of your decrees to be thus ridden by a man of vulgar blood to present him as the head of our nation to the king of England is beneath the dignity of our country is an insult to our nobles and therefore in the power of her consequence I speak and again demand of you to yield the vanguard to one more worthy of the station before God and sent Magdalene I swear added he holding up his sword to the heavens I will not stir an inch this day toward the enemy unless a cumin or a Stuart lead our army and is this your resolution also Lord boot said Wallace looking on Stuart it is was the reply a foe like Edward ought to be met as becomes a great and independent kingdom we go in the array of a unanimous nation to repel him not as a band of insurgents headed by a general who however brave was yet drawn from the common ranks of the people I therefore demand to follow a more illustrious leader to the field the Eagles have long enough followed their owl in peacocks feathers cried Buchen and being tired of the game I like the rest sore upward again resign that baton cried Athel give peace to a more honorable leader repeated he supposing that he had intimidated Wallace but Wallace raising the visor of his helmet which he had closed on his last commands to his generals looked on Athel with all the majesty of his truly royal soul in his eyes Earl said he the voices of the three estates of Scotland declared me their regent and God ratified the election by the victories with which he crowned me even ought I have betrayed my trust let the powers which raised me be my accusers for pitched battles have I fought and gained for this country twice I beat the representatives of King Edward on the plains of Scotland and a few months ago I made him fly before me over the fields of Northumberland what then has befallen me that my arm is to be too short to meet this man has the oil of the Lord with which the saint of Dunkeld anointed my brows lost its virtue that I should shrink before any king in Christendom I neither tremble at the name of Edward nor will I so disgrace my own which never man who bore it ever degraded by swearing fealty to a foreign prince as to abandon at such a crisis the power with which Scotland has invested me whoever chooses to leave the cause of their country let them go and so manifest themselves of noble blood I remain and I lead the vanguard Scotsman to your duty as he spoke with a voice of unanswerable command several chiefs fell back into their ranks but some made a retrograde motion toward the town Lord Butte hardly knew what to think so was he startled by the appeal of the accused Regent and the noble frankness with which he maintained his rights he stood frowning as Wallace turned to him and said do you my Lord adhere to these violent men or am I to consider a chief who though hostile to me was generous in desire still faithful to Scotland in spite of his prejudice against her leader will you fight her battles I shall never desert them replied Stuart to his truth I seek therefore be it to you Wallace this day according to your conscience Wallace bowed his head and presented in the trench in around which his line of battle was wrapped on opening it he found that he was appointed to command the third division Badenock and Bothwell to the first and second and Wallace himself to the vanguard when the Scouts arrived they informed the Regent that the English army had advanced near to the boundary of Linnlithgau and from the rapidity of their march must be on the Karen the same evening on this intelligence Wallace put his troops to their speed and before the sun had declined far toward the west he was within view of Falkirk but just as he had crossed the Karen and the southern banners appeared in sight Lord Athol at the head of his rebellious colleagues rode up to him Stuart kept his appointed station and Badenock doing the same ashamed of his brother's disorder called after him to keep his line regardless of all cheek the obstinate chief galloped on and extending his bold accomplices across the path of the Regent demanded of him on the penalty of his life that moment to relinquish his pretensions to the vanguard I am not come here replied Wallace indignantly to betray my country I know you Lord Athol and your conduct in mind will this day prove who is most worthy the confidence of Scotland this day cried Athol shall see you lay down the power you have usurped it shall see me maintain it to your confusion replied Wallace and were you not surrounded by Scots of to try to worth for me to suspect they're being influenced by your rebellious example I would this moment make you feel the arm of justice but the foe is in sight do your duty now sir Earl and for the sake of the house to which you belong even this intemperate conduct shall be forgotten at this instance or John Graham hastening forward exclaimed the Southerners are bearing down upon us Athol glanced at their distant host and turning on Wallace with a sarcastic smile my actions cried he shall indeed decide the day and striking his spurs furiously into his horse he rejoined Lord Badenock's legion Edward did indeed advance in a most terrible array above a hundred thousand men swelled his numerous ranks and with these were united all from the Lothians and Teviate Dale whom the influence of the faithless March and the vindictive solace could bring into the field with this augmented host and a determination to conquer or to die the Southerners marched rapidly forward Wallace had drawn himself up on the ascent of the hill of Falkirk and advantageously planted his archers on a covering eminence flanked by the legions of Badenock Lord Athol who knew the integrity of his brother and who cared not in so great a cause for such his ambition termed it how he removed an adversary from Edward and a sensor from himself gave a ridding order to one of his emissaries accordingly in the moment when the trumpet of Wallace sounded the charge and the arrows from the hill darkened the air the virtuous Badenock was stabbed through the back to the very heart Athol had placed himself near to watch his purpose but in the lead was done he threw himself on the perpetrator and wounding him in the same vital part exclaimed holding up his dagger behold the weapon that is slain the assassin hired by Sir William Wallace thus it is that his ambition would rob Scotland of her native princes let us fly from his steel to the shield of a king and a hero the men had seen their leader fall they doubted not the words of his brother and with a shout exclaiming wither you lead we will follow all the ones turned toward him sees the traders artillery at this command they mounted the hill and the archers little expecting an assault from their countrymen were either instantly cut down or hurried away prisoners by Athol and Buchen who now at the head of the whole division of the Cumans galloped toward the Southerns and with loud cries of long live King Edward through themselves en masse into their arms the squadrons which followed Stuart not knowing but they might be hurried into similar desertion hesitated in the charge yet commanded them to make and while thus undecisive some obeyed in broken ranks and others lingered the enemy advanced briskly up surrounded the division and on their first onset slew its leader his faithful brandanes seeing their beloved commander trampled to the earth by an overwhelming foe fell into confusion and communicating their dismay to their comrades the whole division sunk under the shock of the Southerns as if touched by a spell meanwhile Bothwell and his legions were fiercely engaged with the Earl of Lincoln amid the swamps of a deep morass but being involved by reciprocal impetuosity equal peril engulfed them both the firm battalion of the vanguard alone remaining unbroken stood before the pressing and now victorious thousands of Edward without receding a step the archers being lost by the treachery of the Cumans all hope lay on the strength of the spear and sword and Wallace standing immovable as the rock of sterling saw rank after rank of his dauntless infantry mowed down by the southern arrows while fast as they fell their comrades closed over them and still presented the same impenetrable front of steady valor against the heavy charges of the enemy's horse the king of England indignant at this pause in his conquering onset accompanied by his natural brother the valiant frayre de briagne and a squadron of resolute knights in fury threw themselves toward the Scottish pikesmen Wallace described the jeweled crest of Edward amidst the cloud of battle there and rushing forward hand to hand engage the king Edward knew his adversary not so much by his snow white plume as by the prowess of his arm twice did the heavy claymore of Wallace strike fire from the steely helmet of the monarch but at the third stroke the glittering diadem fell in shivers to the ground and the royal blood of Edward followed the blow he reeled and another stroke would have settled the freedom of Scotland forever had not the strong arm of frayre de briagne passed between Wallace and the king the combat thickened blow followed blow blood gushed at each fall of the sword and the hacked armor showed in every aperture a grisly wound a hundred weapons seemed directed against the breast of the regent of Scotland when raising his sword with a determined stroke it cleft the visor and vest of de briagne who fell lifeless to the ground the cry that issued from the southern troops at this site again nerve the vengeful Edward and ordering the signal for his reserve to advance he renewed the attack and assaulting Wallace with all the fury of his heart in his eyes and arms he tore the earth with the trampling of disappointed vengeance when he found the invincible phalanx still stood firm I will reach him yet cried he and turning to de valence he commanded that the new artillery should be called into action on this order a blast of trumpets in the southern army blue and the answering war wolves that had summoned sent forth showers of red hot stones into the midst of the Scottish battalions at the same moment the English reserve charging round the hill attacked them in the flank and accomplished what the fiery torrent had begun the field was heaped with dead the Brooks which flowed down the heights ran with blood but no confusion was there no not even in the mind of Wallace though with amazement and horror he beheld the saltier of anondale the banner of Bruce leading onward the last exterminating division Scott now contended with Scott brother with brother those valiant spirits who had left their country twenty years before to accompany their chief to the Holy Land now re-entered Scotland to wound her in her vital part to rest from her her liberties to make her mourn in ashes that she had been the mother of such matricides a horrid mingling of tartans with tartans in the dire full grasp of reciprocal death a tremendous rushing of the flaming artillery which swept the Scottish ranks like blasting lightning for a moment seemed to make the reason of their leader stagger arrows winged with fire flashed through the air and sticking in men and beasts drove them against each other in maddening pain twice was the horse of Wallace shot under him and on every side where his closest friends wounded and dispersed but his terrific horror at the scene passed away the moment of its perception and though the southern and the Bruce pressed on him in overwhelming numbers his few remaining ranks obeyed his call and with a presence of mind and military skill that was exhaust less he maintained the fight till darkness part of the combatants when Edward gave command for his troops to rest till morning Wallace with the remnant of his faithful band slowly recross the Karen that they also might repose till dawn should renew the conflict. Lonely was the sound of his bugle as sitting on a fragment of the druidical reigns of Denapakus he blew its melancholy blast to summon his chiefs around him its penetrating voice pierced the hills but no answering note came upon his ear a dire full conviction seized upon his heart but they might have fled far distant he blushed as the thought crossed him and hopeless again dropped the horn which he had raised to blow a second summons at this instant he saw a shadow darken the moonlight ruins and Scrimgeor who had gladly heard his commander's bugle hasten forward what has been the fate of this dismal day asked Wallace looking onward as if he expected the others to come up where are my friends where Graham Badenock and Bothwell where all brave Scrimgeor that I do not now see he rose from his seat at sight of an advancing group it approached near and laid the body of a warrior down before him thus cried one of the supporters in stifled sounds as my father proved his love for Scotland it was Murray who spoke it was the Earl of Bothwell that lay a breathless corpse at his feet Grievous has been the havoc of Scott on Scott cried the intrepid Graham who had seconded the arm of Murray in the contest for his father's body your steadiness Sir William Wallace would have retrieved the day but for the murderer of his country that Bruce for whom he refused to be our king thus destroys her bravest sons their blood beyond his head continued the young chief extending his martial arms toward heaven power of justice here and let his days be troubled and his death covered with dishonor my brave friend replied Wallace his deeds will avenge themselves he needs not further malediction let us rather bless the remains of him who has gone before us thus in glory to his heavenly rest ah better is it thus to be laid in the bed of honor then by surviving witness the calamities which the double treason of this day will bring upon our martyred country Murray my friend cried he to Lord Andrew we must not let the brave dead perish in vain their monuments shall yet be Scotland's liberties fear not that we are forsaken because of these traitors but remember our time is in hand of the God of justice and mercy tears were coursing each other in mute woe down the cheeks of the affectionate son he could not for some time answer Wallace but he grasped his hand and at last rapidly articulated others may have fallen but not mortally like him life may yet be preserved in some of our brave companions leave me then to mourn my dead alone and seek you them Wallace saw that filial tenderness yearned for the moment when it might unburden its grief unchecked by observation he arose and making a sign to his friends withdrew toward his men having sent a detachment to guard the sacred enclosure of done apocas he dispatched Graham on the dangerous duty of gathering a reinforcement for the morning then sending scrimge or with a resolute band across the Karen to bring in the wounded for Edward had encamped his army about a mile south of the field of action he took his lonely course along the northern bank toward a shallow Ford near which he supposed the squadrons of Lord Lockaw must have fought and where he hoped to gain accounts of him from some straggling survivor of his clan when he arrived at a point where the river is narrowest and winds at stark stream beneath impending heights he blew the Campbell Pilbrock the notes reverberated from rock to rock but unanswered died away in distant echoes still he could not relinquish hope and pursuing the path emerged upon an open glade the unobstructed rays of the moon illuminated every object across the river at some distance from the bank a division of the southern tents widened the deep shadows of the bordering woods and before them on the bloodstained plane he thought he described a solitary warrior Wallace stopped the man approached the margin of the stream and looked toward the Scottish chief the visor of Wallace being up discovered his heroic countenance bright in the moon beams and the majesty of his means seemed to declare him to the southern night to be no other than the regent of Scotland who art thou cried the warrior with a voice of command that better became his lips than it was adapted to the man whom he addressed the enemy of England cried the chief thou at Wallace was the immediate reply none else dare answer the Lord of Carrick and of Anondale with such haughty boldness every Scott in this land returned Wallace inflamed with an indignation he did not attempt to repress would thus answer Bruce not only in reference to him but to himself to that Bruce who not satisfied with having abandoned his people to their enemies has stolen a base fratricide to slay his brethren in their home to have met them on the plane of Standmore would have been a deed his posterity might have bewailed but what horror what shame will be theirs when they know that he came to ruin his own rights to stab his people in the very bosom of his country I come from gazing on the murdered body of the virtuous Earl of Bothwell the Prince Butte and Fife and perhaps Lockaw have fallen beneath the southern sword and your unnatural arm and yet do you demand what a Scott would dare to tell you that he holds the Earl of Carrick and his co-ajuders as his most mortal foes ambitious man does thou flatter thyself with the belief that I am to be deceived by thy pompous declamation I know the motive of all this pretended patriotism I am well informed of the aim of all this vaunted prowess and I came not to fight the battles of King Edward but to punish the proud usurper of the rights of Bruce I have gained my point my brave followers slew the Lord of Bothwell my brave followers made the hitherto invincible Sir William Wallace retreat I came in the power of my birthright and as your lawful king I command you this hour to lay your rebel sword at my feet obey proud night or tomorrow puts you into Edward's hand and without appeal you die the death of a traitor unhappy Prince cried Wallace now suspecting that Bruce had been deceived is it over the necks of your most loyal subjects that you would mount your throne how have you been mistaken how have you strengthened the hands of your enemy and weakened your own by this day's action the cause is now probably lost forever and from whom are we to date it's ruin but from him whom the nation looked to as it's appointed deliverer from him whose once honored name will now be regarded with exaggeration burden not my name rash young man replied Bruce with the charges belonging to your own mad ambition who disturbed the peace in which Scotland reposed after the battle of Dunbar but William Wallace who raised the country in arms but William Wallace who stole from me my birthright and fastened the people's love on himself but William Wallace who affected to repel a crown that he might the more certainly fix it on his head but William Wallace and who dares now taught me with his errors and mishaps but the same traitor to his lawful sovereign shall I answer the Lord of Carrick replied Wallace with a similar appeal who when the southern tyrant preferred a false claim to the supremacy of this realm subscribe to the falsehood and by that action did all in his power to make a free people slaves who when the brand of cruelty swept this kingdom from shore to shore lay indolent in the usurpers court and heard of these oppressions without a sigh who horror on horror brought an army into his own inheritance to slay his sovereign and lay it desolate before his mortal foe thy heart will tell thee Bruce who is this man and if honor yet remain in that iron region thou will not disbelieve the aceravations of an honest Scott who proclaims that it was to save them whom thou didst demand him that he appeared in the armies of Scotland it was to supply the place of thy desertion that he assumed the role with which a grateful people rescued from bondage invested him bold chieftain exclaimed Bruce is it thus you continue to brave your offended prince but in pity to your youth in admiration of a prowess which would have been godlike had it been exerted for your sovereign and not used as a bait to satisfy an ambition wild as it is towering I would expostulate with you I would even dane to tell you that in granting the supremacy of Edward the royal Bruce submits not to the mere wish of a despot but to the necessity of the times this is not an area of so great loyalty that any sovereign may venture to contend against such an imperial arm as Edwards and would you a boy in years a novice in politics and though brave until this day successful would you pretend to prolong a war with the dictator of kingdoms can rational discrimination be united with the valor you possess and you not perceive the unequal contest between a weak state deprived of its head and agitated by intestine commotions and a mighty nation conducted by the ablest and most martial monarch of his age a man who is not only determined to maintain his pretensions to Scotland but his master of every resource either for protracting war or pushing it with figure if the love of your country be indeed your motive for perseverance your obstinacy tends only to lengthen her misery but if as I believe is the case you carry your views to private aggrandizement reflect on their probable issue should Edward by a miracle withdraw his armies and an intoxicated people elevate their minion to the throne the lords of Scotland would reject the bold invasion and with the noble vengeance of insulted greatness hurl from his height the proud usurper of their rights and mine to usurp any man's rights and least of all my kings replied Wallace never came within the range of my thoughts though lowly born Lord Carrick I am not so basis to require assumption to give me dignity I saw my country made a garrison of Edwards I beheld its people outraged in every relation that is dear to man who heard their cry where was Bruce where the nobles of Scotland that none arose to extinguish her burning villages to shelter the mother and the child to rescue purity from violation to defend the bleeding father and his son the shrieks of despair resounded through the land and none appeared the hand of violence fell on my own house the wife of my bosom was stabbed to the heart by a magistrate of the usurper I then drew the sword I took pity on those who suffered as I had suffered I espoused their cause and never will I forsake it till life forsakes me therefore that I became champion of Scotland Lord of Carrick blame not my ambition but rather the supineness of the nobility and chiefly yourself you who uniting personal merit to dignity of descent had deserted to occupy had the scots from the time of Balliol's abdication possessed such a leader as yourself for what is the necessity of the times but the pusillanimity of those who ought to contend with Edward by your valor and their union you must have surmounted every difficulty under which we struggle and have closed the contest with success and honor if you now start from your guilty delusion it may not be too late to rescue Scotland from the perils which surround her listen then to my voice Prince of the blood of Alexander for swear the tyrant who has cajoled you to this abandonment of your country and resolve to be her deliverer the bravest of the scots are ready to acknowledge you their Lord to reign as your forefathers did untrammeled by any foreign yoke exchange then a base of assillage for freedom and a throne await to yourself noble Bruce and behold what it is I propose heaven itself cannot set a more glorious prize before the eyes of virtue or ambition than to join in one object the acquisition of royalty with the maintenance of national independence such is my last appeal to you for myself I am well convinced that the real welfare of my country can never subsist with the sacrifice of her liberties I am determined as far as in me lies to prolong not her miseries but her integrity by preserving her from the contamination of slavery but should mysterious fate decree her fall may that power which knows the vice and horrors which accompany a tyrant's reign terminate the existence of a people who can no longer preserve their lives but by receiving laws from usurpation the truth and gallantry of these sentiments struck the awakened mind of Bruce with the force of conviction another auditor was nigh who also lost not a syllable and the flame was conveyed from the breast of one hero to that of the other Lord Carrick secretly repented of all that he had done but being too proud to acknowledge so much he briefly answered Wallace your words have made an impression on me that may one day still more brighten the glory of your fame be silent respecting this conference be faithful to the principles you have declared and air long you shall hear royally of Bruce as he spoke he turned away and was lost among the trees Wallace stood for some minutes musing on what had passed when hearing a footstep behind him he turned around and beheld approaching him a young and graceful form habited in a white hackathon wrought in gold with golden spurs on his feet and a helmet of the same costly metal on his head crested with white feathers had the scene been in Palestine he might have mistaken him for the host guardian angel in arms but the moment the eyes of Wallace fell on him the stranger hastened forward and threw himself on one knee before him with so noble a grace that the chief was lost in wonder what this beautiful apparition could mean the youth after an agitated pause bowing his head exclaimed pardon this intrusion bravest of men I come to offer you my heart my life to wash out by your side in the blood of the enemies of Scotland the Selma which now dishonors the name of Bruce who are you noble youth cried Wallace raising him from the ground surely my prayers are at last answered and I hear these sentiments from one of Alexander's race I am indeed of his blood replied he and it must now be my study to prove my descent by deeds worthy of my ancestor I am Robert Bruce the eldest son of the Earl of Carrick in Anondale grieving over the slaughter that his valor had made of his own people although till you taught him otherwise he believed they fought to maintain the usurpation of an ambitious subject he walked out in melancholy I followed at a distance and I heard unseen all that has passed between you and him he has retired to his tent and unknown to him I hastened across the Karen to avow my loyalty to virtue to declare my determination to live for Scotland or to die for her and to follow the arms of Sir William Wallace till he plants my father in the throne of his ancestors I take you at your word brave prince replied the Regent and this night shall give you an opportunity to redeem to Scotland what your father's sword has this day rested from her what I mean to do must be affected in the course of a few hours that done it will be prudent for you to return to the Carrick camp and there take the most effectual means to persuade your father to throw himself at once into the arms of Scotland the whole nation will then rally round their king and as his weapon of war I shall rejoice to fulfill the commission with which God has entrusted me he then briefly unfolded to the eagerly listening Bruce whose aspiring spirit inflamed by the fervor of youth and winged by natural courage saw the glory alone of the enterprise an attack which he meant to make on the camp of Edward while his victorious troops slept in fancy security he had sent Sir John Graham to Stirling to call out its garrison Kerr he had dispatched on a similar errand and expecting that by this time some of the troops would be arrived on the southern extremity of the cars he threw his plaid over the prince's splendid garb to conceal him from notice then returning to the few who lay on the northern bank of the river he asked one of the young Gordon's to lend him his armor saying he had used for it and to seek another suit in the heap that had been collected from the buried dead the brave Scott cheerfully acquiesced and Wallace retiring amongst the trees with his royal companion Bruce soon covered his gay hackton with this rough mail and placing the Scottish bonnet on his head put a large stone into the golden helmet and sunk it in the waters of the Karen being thus completely armed like one of the youthful clansmen in the ranks and such disguise was necessary Wallace put the trusty claymore of his country into its prince's hand and grasping him with a hero's warmth to his heart now it is cried he that William Wallace lives anew since he has seen this hour on reemerging from the wood they met Sir John Graham who had just arrived with five hundred fugitives from Lord Butte's slaughter division whom he had rallied on the cars he informed his friend that the Earl of Marr was within half a mile of the Karen with three thousand more that he would soon be joined by other reinforcements to a similar amount while Graham yet spoke a squadron of armed men approached from the fourth side Wallace advancing toward them beheld the Bishop of Dunn Keld in his sacerdotal robes at their head but with a coarselet on his breast and instead of his cruciate he carried a drawn sword we come to you champion of Scotland cried the prelate with the prayers and the arms of the church the sword of the Levites of old smote the enemies of Israel and in the same faith that the God of justice will go before us this night we come to fight for Scotland's liberties his followers were the younger brethren of the monastery of Cambus Kenneth and others from the neighboring convents all together making a stout and well-appointed legion with this handful cried Wallace heaven may find a David who shall yet strike Yon Goliath on the forehead Lord Marr and Lord Lennox now came up and Wallace marshalling his train found that he had nearly ten thousand men he gave to each leader his plan of attack and having placed Bruce with Graham in the van before he took his station at its head he retired to the ruins near Dunapacus to visit the morning solitude of Murray he found the pious son sitting and motionless by the side of his dead parent without rousing the violence of grief by any reference to the site before him Wallace briefly communicated his project Lord Andrew started to his feet I will share all the peril with you I shall again grapple with a foe that has thus bereaved me this dark mantle cried he turning toward the breathless corpse and throwing his plaid over it will shroud thy hallowed remains till I return I go where thou wouldst direct me oh my father exclaimed he in a burst of grief the trumpet shall sound and thou will not hear but I go to take vengeance for thy blood so saying he sprung from the place and accompanying Wallace to the plane took his station in the silent but swiftly moving army end of chapter fifty three chapter fifty four of the Scottish chiefs this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org the Scottish chiefs by Miss Jane Porter chapter fifty four Karen Banks the troops of King Edward lay overpowered with wine elated with victory they had drunk largely the royal pavilion setting them the example for though Edward was temperate yet to flatter his recovered friends the inordinate man and solace he had allowed a greater excess that night than he was accustomed to sanction the banquet over every night retired to his tent every soldier to his pallet and a deep sleep lay upon every man the king himself whose many thoughts had long kept him waking now fell into a slumber guards had been placed around the camp more from military ceremony than an idea of their necessity the strength of Wallace they believed broken and that they should have nothing to do next morning but to chase him into sterling and take him there but the spirit of the Regent was not so easily subdued he ever thought it shameful to despair while it was possible to make a stand and now leading his determined followers through the lower grounds of Cumbernail he detached half his force under Mar to take the southern camp in the rear while he should attack the front and pierce his way to the royal pavilion with soundless caution the battalion of Mar wound round the banks of the fourth to reach the point of its destination and Wallace proceeding with as noiseless a step gained the hill which overlooked his sleeping enemies his front ranks shrouded by branches they had torn from the trees in Tor Wood now stood still without this precaution had any eye looked from the southern line they must have been perceived but now should a hundred gays on them their figures were so blended with the adjoining thickets they might easily mistaken for a part of them as the moon sunk in the horizon they move gently down the hill and scarcely drawing breath were within a few paces of the first outpost when one of the sentinels starting from his reclining position suddenly exclaimed what sound is that only the wind amongst the trees returned his comrade I see their branches waving let me sleep for Wallace yet lives and we may have hot work tomorrow Wallace did live and the man slept to more for the next instant a Scottish brand was through every southern heart on the outpost that done Wallace throw away his bow leaped the narrow dyke which lay in front of the camp and with Bruce and Graham at the head of a chosen band of brave men cautiously proceeded onward to reach the pavilion at the moment he should blow his bugle the divisions he had left with Lennox and Murray and the Lord Mar were to press forward to the same point still all lay in profound repose and guided by lamps which burned around the royal quarters the Dauntless Scots reached the tent Wallace had already laid his hand upon the curtain that was its entrance when an armed man with a presented pike demanded who comes here the regents answer laid the interrogators head at his feet but the voice had awakened the ever watchful King perceiving his own danger in the fall of the sentinel he snatched his sword and calling aloud on his sleeping train sprung from his couch he was immediately surrounded by half a score of knights who started on their feet before Wallace could reach the spot short however would have been their protection they fell before his arm and that of Graham and left a vacant place for Edward had disappeared for seeing from the first prowess of these midnight invaders the fate of his guards he had made a timely escape by cutting a passage for himself through the canvas of his tent Wallace perceived that his prize had eluded his grasp but hoping to at least drive him from the field he blew the appointed signal to Mar and Lennox caught one of the lamps from the monarch's table and setting fire to the adjoining drapery rushed from its blazing volumes to meet his brave colleagues amongst the disordered lines Graham and his followers with firebrands in their hands through conflagration into all parts of the camp and with the fearful war cries of their country seemed to assail the terrified enemy from every direction men half dressed and unarmed rushed from their tents upon the pikes of their enemies hundreds fell without striking a blow and they who were stationed nearest the outposts but took themselves to flight scattering themselves and scared throngs over the amazed plains of Lynlithgau the king in vain sought to rally his men to remind them of their late victory his English alone harkened to his call superstition had laid her petrifying hand on all the rest the Irish saw a terrible judgment in this scene believing it had fallen upon them for having taken arms against their sister people the Welsh as they described the warlike Bishop of Dunkel issuing from the midst of the river and charging his foaming steed through their flying defiles could not persuade themselves that Merlin had not arisen to chastise their obedience to the ravager of their country every superstition every panic created by fear took possession of the half intoxicated stupid wretches and falling in bloody and unresisting heaps all around it was rather a slaughter than a battle opposition seemed square abandoned except on the spot still maintained by the king of England and his brave countrymen the faithless Scots who had followed the Cumans to the field also stood there and fought with desperation Wallace opposed the despair and valor of his adversaries with the steadiness of his men and Graham having seized some of the war engines discharged a shower of blazing arrows upon the southern phalanx the camp was now on fire in every direction and putting all to the hazard of one decisive blow Edward ordered his men to make it once to the point where by the light of the flaming tents he could perceive the waving plumes of Wallace with his ponderous mace held terribly in the air the king himself bore down to the shock and breaking through the intervening combatants assaulted the chief the might of ten thousand souls was then in the arm of the Regent of Scotland the Puisant Edward wondered at himself as he shrunk from before his strokes as he shuddered at the heroic fierceness of accountants which seemed more than mortal was it indeed the Scottish chieftain or some armed delegate from heaven descended to fight the battles of the oppressed Edward trembled his mace was struck from his hand but immediately a glittering falchion supplied its place and with a recovering presence of mine he renewed the combat meanwhile the young Bruce who in his humble armor might have been passed by as an enemy for meaner swords checking the onward speed of March pierced him at once through the heart die thou disgrace to the name of Scott cried he and with thy blood expunge my stains his sword now laid all opposition at his feet and while the tempest of death blew around the groans of the dying the shrieks of the wounded and the outcries of those who are perishing in the flames drove the king's ranks to distraction and raised so great a fear in the minds of the Cuman clan that breaking away from the royal line with yells of dismay they fled in all directions after their already fugitive allies Edward saw the Earl of March fall and finding himself wounded in many places with a backward step he received the blows of Wallace but that determined chief following his advantage made a stroke at the king which through him astounded into the arms of his followers at that moment Lincoln raised his arm to strike his dagger into the back of Wallace but Graham arrested the blow and sent the young Lord's motionless body to the earth the southern ranks closed immediately before their insensible monarch and a contest more desperate than any which had preceded it took place hosts seemed to fall on both sides at last the Southerns having stood their ground till Edward was carried from further danger suddenly wheeled about and fled precipitately toward the east Wallace pursued them on full charge driving them across the lowlands of Linnlithgau where he had learned from some prisoners he took that the Earl of Carrick was in the Lothians having retreated thither on the first tidings that the Scots had attacked the English camp now is your time said Wallace to Bruce to rejoin your father bring him to Scotland where a free crown awaits him your actions of this night must be a pledge to your country of the virtues which will support his throne the young warrior throwing off his rugged Halberk in a retired Glen appeared again as a prince and embracing the regent a messenger from myself or from my father said he shall meet you at Sterling meanwhile farewell and give my thanks to the young Gordon whose sword armed me for Scotland Bruce mounted the horse Wallace had prepared and spurring along the banks of the almond was soon lost amidst its luxuriant shades Wallace still led the pursuit of Edward and meeting those auxiliaries from the adjoining counties which his provident orders had prepared to turn out on the first appearance of this marshal chase he poured his troops through the Ettrick forest and drove the flying host of England far into Northumberland there checking his triumphant squadrons he recalled his stragglers and returned with abated speed into his own country halting on the north bank of the twee he sent to their quarters those hands which belong to the border castles and then marched leisurely forward that his brave soldiers who had sustained the weight of the battle might recover their exhausted strength at Peebles he was agreeably surprised by the sight of Edwin though ignorant of the recommends hostilities of Edward Lord Rithvin became so impatient to resume his duties that as soon as he was able to move he had set off on his return to Perth on arriving at Hunting Tower he was told of the treachery of March also of his fate and that the region had beaten the enemy on the banks of the Karen and was pursuing him into his own dominions Rithvin was inadequate to the exertion of following the successful troops but Edwin rejoicing at this new victory would not be detained and crossing the fourth into Midlothian had sped his eager way until the happy moment that brought him again to the side of his first and dearest friend as they continued their route together Edwin inquired the events of the past time and heard them related with wonder horror and gratitude grateful for the preservation of Wallace grateful for the rescue of his country from the menace of destruction for some time he could only clasp his friend's hand with strong emotions to his heart the death of his Uncle Bathwell made that heart tremble within him at the thought of how much severe might have been his deprivation at last extricating his powers of speech from the spell of contradictory feelings which enchained them he said but if my Uncle Mar and our brave Graham were in the last conflict where are they that I do not see them share your victory I hope returned Wallace that we shall rejoin them in safety at Sterling our troops parted in the pursuit and after having sent back the lowland chieftains you see I have none with me now but my own particular followers the region's expectations that he should soon fall in with some of the chasing squadrons where the next morning gratified crossing the Bathgate Hills he met the returning battalions of Lennox with Lord Mars and also Sir John Graham's Lord Lennox was thanked by Wallace for his good services and immediately dispatched to reoccupy his station in Dunbarton but the captains of Mar and of Graham who could give no other account of their leaders than that they saw them last fighting valiantly in the southern camp and had since supposed that during the pursuit they must have joined the regent squadron a cold dew fell over the limbs of Wallace at these tidings he looked on Murray and on Edwin the expression of the former space told him what were his fears but Edwin ever sang when strove to encourage the hope that all might yet be well they may not have yet returned from the pursuit or they may be gone on to sterling but these comfortings were soon dispelled by the appearance of Lord Ruthven who having been apprised of the regents approach came forth to meet him the pleasure of seeing the Earl so far recovered as to have been able to leave hunting tower was checked by the first glance of his face on which was deeply characterized some tale of Greek Edwin thought it was the recent disasters of Scotland he mourned and with the cheering voice he exclaimed courage my father our regent comes again a conqueror Edward has once more recross the plains of Northumberland thanks be to God for that replied Ruthven but what have not these last conflicts cost the country Lord Mar is wounded unto death and lies in a chamber next to the yet unburied corpses of Lord Butte and the Dauntless Graham Wallace turned deadly pale amiss passed over his eyes and staggering he breathlessly supported himself on the arm of Edwin Murray looked on him but all was still in his heart his own beloved father had fallen and in that stroke fate seemed to have emptied all her quiver lead me to their chambers cried Wallace show me where my friends lie let me hear the last prayer for Scotland from the lips of the bravest of her veterans Ruthven turned the head of his horse and as he rode along he informed the regent that Edwin had not left hunting tower on the fourth half an hour when an express arrived from Falkirk by it he learned that as soon as the inhabitants of Starling saw the fire of the southern camp they had hastened thither to enjoy the spectacle some bolder than the rest entered its deserted confines for the retreating squadrons were then flying over the plain and amidst the slaughtered near the royal tent one of these visitors thought he distinguished groans whether friend or foe he stooped to render assistance to the sufferer and soon found it to be Lord Marr the Earl begged to be carried to some shelter that he might see his wife and daughter before he died the people drew him out from under his horse and many a mangled corpse and wrapping him in their plaids conveyed him to Falkirk where they lodged him in the convent a messenger was instantly dispatched to me continued Ruthven and indifferent to all personal considerations I set out immediately I saw my dying brother-in-law at his request that others might not suffer what he had endured under the pressure of the slain the field had been sought for the wounded many were conveyed into the neighboring houses while the dead were consigned to the earth deep have been dug the graves of mingled Scott and English on the banks of the Karen many of our fallen nobles amongst whom was the princely batonock have been conveyed to the cemetery of their ancestors others are entombed in the church of Falkirk but the bodies of Sir John Graham and my brother Bothwell said he in a lower tone I have retained till your return you have done right replied the till then silent Wallace and spurring forward he saw not the ground he trod till ascending the hill of Falkirk the venerable walls of its monastery presented themselves to his view he threw himself off his horse and entered preceded by Lord Ruthven he stopped before the cell which contained the dying chief and desired the Abbott to apprise the Earl of his arrival the sound of that voice whose heart consoling tones could be matched by none on earth penetrated to the ear of his almost insensible friend more started from his pillow and Wallace through the half-open door heard him say let him come in Joanna all my mortal hopes now hang on him Wallace instantly stepped forward and beheld the veterans stretch on a couch the image of that death to which he was so rapidly approaching he hastened toward him and the dying man stretching forth his arms exclaimed come to me Wallace my son the only hope of Scotland the omen human trust of this anxious paternal heart Wallace threw himself on his knees beside him and taking his hand pressed it in speechless anguish to his lips every present grief was then weighing on his soul and denied him the power of utterance Lady Mar sat by the pillow of her husband but she bore no marks of the sorrow which convulsed the frame of Wallace she looked serious but her cheek wore its freshest bloom she spoke not and the veteran allowed the tears of enfeebled nature to fall on the bent head of his friend more not for me cried he nor think that these are regretful drops I dies I have wished in the field for Scotland time must have soon laid my gray hair ignomely in the earth and to enter it thus covered with honorable wounds in glory has long been my prayer but dearest most unweary to friends still the tears of mortality will flow for I leave my children fatherless in this faithless world and my Helen oh Wallace the angel who exposed her precious self through the dangers of that midnight walk to save Scotland her father and his friends is lost to us Joanna tell the rest he said gasping for I cannot Wallace turned to Lady Mar with an inquiring look of such wild horror that she found her tongue cleave to the roof of her mouth and her complexion faded into the pallidness of his surely exclaimed he there is not to be a wreck of all that is estimable on earth the Lady Helen is not dead no rejoined the Earl but he could proceed no further and Lady Mar forced herself to speak she has fallen into the hands of the enemy on my Lord's being brought to this place he sent for myself and Lady Helen but in passing by done apocas an armed squadron issued from behind the mound and putting our attendance to fly to carried her off I escaped hither the reason for this attack was explained afterward by one of the Southerns who having been wounded by our escort was taken and brought to Falkirk he said that Lord Amor de Valance having been sent by his beset monarch to call Lord Carrick to his assistance found the Bruce's camp deserted but by accident learning that Lady Helen Mar was to be brought to Falkirk he stationed himself behind done apocas and springing out as soon as our cavalcade was in view seized her she obtained the rest were allowed to escape but as the Lord de Valance loves Helen I cannot doubt he will have sufficient honor not to insult the fame of her family and so will make her his wife God forbid ejaculated Mar holding up his trembling hands God forbid that my blood should ever mingle with that of any one of the people who have brought such woe to Scotland swear to me valiant Wallace by the virtues of her virgin heart by your own immaculate honor that you will move heaven and earth to rescue my Helen from the power of his southern Lord so help me heaven answered Wallace looking steadfastly upward a groan burst from the lips of Lady Mar and her head sunk on the side of the couch what who is that exclaimed Mar raising his head in alarm from his pillow believe country Donald replied she to what do you bind its only defender are you not throwing him into the very center of his enemies by making him swear to rescue Helen think you that de Valance will not foresee a pursuit and take her into the heart of England and thither must our Regent follow him release Sir William Wallace from a vow that must destroy him Wallace cried the now soul struck Earl what have I done has a father's anxiety asked the miss if so pardon me but if my daughter also must wish for Scotland take her oh God uncontaminated and let us meet in heaven Wallace I dare not accept your vow but I will fulfill it cried he let thy paternal heart rest in peace and by Jesus's help Lady Helen shall again be in her own country as free from southern taint as she is from all mortal sin de Valance dare not approach her heavenly innocence with violence and her Scottish heart will never consent to give him a lawful claim to her precious self Edwards legions are far beyond the borders but wherever this Earl may be yet I will reach him for there is a guiding hand above and the demands of the morning at Falkirk are now to be answered in the halls of Sterling Lord Rathvin followed by Edwin and Murray entered the room and the two nephews were holding each a hand of their dying uncle in theirs when Lady Rathvin who exhausted with fatigue and anxiety had retired an hour before appeared at the door of the apartment she had been informed of the arrival of the region and her son and now hasten to give them a sorrowful welcome ah my lord cried she as Wallace pressed her matron cheek to his this is not as your triumphs are want to be greeted you are still a conqueror and yet death dreadful death lies all around us and our Helen too shall be restored to you by the blessed aid of heaven returned he what is yet left for me to do must be done and then he paused and added the time is not far distant then he paused and added the time is not far distant Lady Rathvin when we shall meet in the realms to which so many of our bravest and dearest have just hastened with swimming eyes Edwin drew toward his master my uncle would sleep said he he is exhausted and will recall us when he wakes from rest the eyes of the veteran were at that moment closed with heavy slumber Lady Rathvin remained with the Countess to watch by him and Wallace gently withdrawing was followed by Rathvin and the two young men out of the apartment Lord Laka with the Bishop of Dunkeld and other chiefs lay in different chambers pierced with many wounds but none so grievous as those of Lord Marr Wallace visited them all and having gone through the numerous places in the neighborhood then made quarters for his wounded men at the gloom of evening he returned to Falkirk he sent Edwin forward to inquire after the repose of his uncle but on himself re-entering the monastery he requested the Abba to conduct him to the apartment in which the remains of Sir John Graham were deposited the father obeyed leading him along a dark passage he opened a door and discovered the slain hero lying on a beer two monks sat at its head with tapers in their hands Wallace waved them to withdraw they set down the lights and departed he was then alone for some time he stood with clasped hands looking intently on the body as it lay extended before him Graham Graham cried he at last in a voice of unutterable grief thus thou not rise of thy generals voice oh is this to be the tidings I am to send to the brave father who entrusted to me his son lost in the prime of youth in the opening of thy renown is it thus that all which is good is to be martyrized by the enemies of Scotland he sunk gradually on his knees beside him and shall I not look once more on thy face said he whichever turned toward mine with looks of faith and love the shroud was drawn down by his hand he started on his feet at the site the changing touch of death had altered every feature had deepened the paleness of the bloodless corpse into an ashy hue where is the countenance of my friend cried he where is the spirit which once moved in beauty and animating light over this face gone and all I see before me is a mass of molded clay Graham Graham cried he looking upward thou art not here no more can I recognize my friend in this deserted habitation of thy soul thine own proper self thine immortal spirit is ascended up above and there my fond remembrances shall ever seek thee again he knelt but it was in devotion a devotion which drew the sting from death and open to his view the victory of the Lord of life over the king of terrors Edward having learned from his father that Lord Mars still slept and being told by the Abbott where the Regent was followed him to the consecrated chamber on entering he perceived him kneeling by the body of his friend the youth drew near he loved the brave Graham and he almost adored Wallace the scene therefore smote upon his heart he dropped down by the side of the Regent and throwing his arms around his neck in a convulsive voice exclaimed our friend is gone but I yet live and only in your smiles my friend and brother Wallace strained him to his breast he was silent for some minutes and then said to every dispensation of God I am resigned my Edwin while I bow to this stroke I acknowledge the blessing I still hold in you and Murray but did we not feel these visitations from our maker they would not be decreed to us to behold the dead is the penalty of man for sin for it is more pain to witness and to occasion death than for ourselves to die it is also a lesson which God teaches his sons and in the moment that he shows us death he convinces us of immortality look upon that face Edwin continued he turning his eyes on the breathless clay his youthful auditor awestruck and his tears checked by the solemnity of this address looked as he directed him doth not that inanimate mold of earth testify that nothing less than an immortal spirit could have lighted up its marble substance with the life and God like actions we have seen it perform Edwin shuttered and Wallace letting the shroud fall over the face added never more will I look at it for it no longer wears the character of my friend they are pictured on my soul and himself my Edwin still effulgent in beauty and glowing with imperishable life looks down on us from heaven he rose as he spoke and opening the door the monks re-entered and placing themselves at the head of the beer chanted the Vesper Wecrion when it was ended Wallace kissed the crucifix they laid on his friend's breast and left the cell.