"Covered with dishonor by a blow I could not avenge. I fled to my
brother-in-law, Sir John Scott, of Loch Doine. With him I buried my
injury from the world; but it lived in my heart-it haunted me day and
night, calling for revenge.
"In such an hour, how did I receive the tidings, that Sir William
Wallace was in arms against the tyrant! It was the voice of
retribution, calling me to peace of mind! Even my bedridden kinsman
partook my emotions; and with his zealous concurrence, I led a band of
his hardiest clansmen, to reinforce the brave men of Lanark on this
rock.
"Two days I have now been here, awaiting in anxious impatience the
arrival of Wallace. Yes! we will mingle our injured souls together!
He has made one offering; I must make another! We shall set forth to
Stirling; and there, in the very heart of his den, I will sacrifice the
tiger Cressingham, to the vengeance of our wrongs."
"But what, my brave friend," asked Murray, "are the forces you deem
sufficient for so great an enterprise? How many fighting men may be
counted of Wallace's own company, besides your own?"
"We have here about a hundred," replied Kirkpatrick, "including yours.
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