Should I fall, tell him to look on that, and
in my wrongs read the future miseries of Scotland, and remember that
God armoreth the patriot's hand. Let him set on that conviction and
Scotland may yet be free."
Halbert placed the lock in his bosom, but again repeated his
entreaties, that his master would accompany him to Bothwell Castle. He
urged the consolation he would meet from the good earl's friendship.
"If he indeed regard me," returned Wallace, "for my sake let him
cherish you. My consolations must come from a higher hand; I go where
it directs. If I live, you shall see me again; but twilight
approaches-we must away. The sun must not rise again upon Heselrigge."
Halbert now followed the rapid steps of Wallace, who, assisting the
feeble limbs of his faithful servant, drew him up the precipitous side
of the Lynn,** and then leaping from rock to rock, awaited with
impatience the slower advances of the poor old harper, as he crept
round a circuit of overhanging cliffs, to join him on the summit of the
craigs.
**The cavern which sheltered Sir William Wallace, near Corie Lynn, is
yet revered by the people.
Together they struck into the most inaccessible defiles of the
mountains, and proceeded, till on discerning smoke whitening with its
ascending curls the black sides of the impending rocks, Wallace saw
himself near the objects of his search.
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