"
"No," replied Wallace; "we must not overstrain the generous spirit.
Let them rest to-night, and to-morrow's dawn shall light us through the
forest."
Ker, who acted as henchman to Wallace, now returned to the ranks to
give the word, and they marched forward.
Sir Alexander Scrymgeour, with his golden standard charged with the
lion of Scotland, led the van. Wallace raised his bonnet from his
head, as it drew near. Scrymgeour lowered the staff; Wallace threw up
his outstretched hand at this action, but the knight not understanding
him, he stepped forward. "Sir Alexander Scrymgeour," cried he, "that
standard must now bow to me. It represents the royalty of Scotland,
before which we fight for our liberties. If virtue yet dwell in the
house of the valiant St. David, some of his offspring will hear of this
day, and lead it forward to conquest and to a crown. Till such an
hour, let not that standard bend to any man."
Wallace fell back as he spoke, and Scrymgeour, bowing his head in sign
of acquiescence marched on.
Sir Roger Kirkpatrick, at the head of his well-appointed Highlanders
next advanced. His blood-red banner streamed to the air, and as it
bent to Wallace he saw that the indignant knight had adopted the device
of the hardy King Archaius,** but with a fiercer motto-"Touch, and I
pierce!"
**Archaius, King of Scotland, took for his device the thistle and the
Rewe, and for his motto, "For my defense.
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