That effected, they
pursued their way with the same caution, till after a long march, and
without encountering a human being, they reached the base of the huge
rock which Wallace had made his fortress.
Ker, who expected to find it surrounded by the English army, was amazed
at the deathlike solitude. "The place is deserted," cried he. "My
brave friend, compelled by the extremity of his little garrison, has
been obliged to surrender."
"We will ascend and see," was Murray's answer.
Ker led round the rock to the most accessible point; and, mounting by
the projecting stones, with some difficulty gained the top. Silence
pervaded every part; and the rugged cavities at the summit, which had
formed the temporary quarters of his comrades, were lonely. On
entering the recess where Wallace used to seek a few minutes' slumber,
the moon, which shone full into the cave, discovered something bright
lying in a distant corner. Ker hastily approached it, recollecting
what means of escape, he would leave some weapon as a sign; a dagger,
if necessity drove him to the south point, where he must fight his way
through the valley; an arrow, if he could effect it without
observation, by the north, as he should then seek an asylum for his
exhausted followers in the far-of wilds of Glenfinlass.
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