This makes
the difference between us; this lays you at my feet, when I would more
willingly receive you into my arms as brothers in one generous cause."
"We are yours," was the answering exclamation of those who knelt, and
of those who raised their feebler voices from their beds of straw. A
few only remained silent. With many kind expressions of acceptance,
Wallace disengaged himself from those who clung around him, and then
moved toward the sick, who seemed too ill to speak. While repeating
the same consolatory language to them, he particularly observed an old
man who was lying between two young ones, and still kept a profound
silence. His rough features were marked with many a scar, but there
was a meek resignation in her face that powerfully struck Wallace.
When the chief drew near, the veteran raised himself on his arm, and
bowed his head with a respectful air. Wallace stopped. "You are an
Englishman?"
"I am, sir, and have no services to offer you. These two young men on
each side of me are my sons. There brother I lost last night in the
conflict. To-day, by your mercy, not only my life is preserved, but my
two remaining children also.
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