As he drew near he saw some standing on the cliff and others leaning
over, to catch another glance of the departing group ere it was lost
amid the shades of Glenfinlass.
"Are they quite gone?" asked Dugald.
"Quite," answered a young man, who seemed to have got the most
advantageous situation for a view.
"Then," cried he, "may St. Andrew keep them until we meet again!"
"May a greater than St. Andrew hear thy prayer!" ejaculated Wallace.
At the sound of this response from their chief they all turned round.
"My brave companions," said he, "I come to repay this hour's pangs by
telling you that, in the attack of Dumbarton, you shall have the honor
of first mounting the walls. I shall be at your head, to sign each
brave soldier with a patriot's seal of honor."
"To follow you, my lord," said Dugald, "is our duty."
"I grant it," replied the chief; "and as I am the leader in that duty,
it is mine to dispense to every man his reward; to prove to all men
that virtue alone is true nobility."
"Ah, dearest sir!" exclaimed Edwin, who had been assisting the women to
carry their infants down the steep, and on reascending heard the latter
part of this conversation; "deprive me not of the aim of my life!
These warriors have had you long-have distinguished themselves in your
eyes.
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