"
He then exultingly narrated the happy events of the last four and
twenty hours. The earl listened with wonder and joy. "What!" cried
he, "so noble a plan for Scotland, and I ignorant of it?-I, that have
not waked day or night, for many a month, without thinking or dreaming
of some enterprise to free my country-and behold it is achieved in a
moment! I see the stroke, as a bolt from Heaven; and I pray Heaven it
may light the sacrifice throughout the nation! Lead me, worthy knight,
lead me to your chief, for he shall be mine too: he shall command
Malcolm Lennox and all his clan."
Kirkpatrick gladly turned to obey him; and they mounted the ascent
together. Within the barbican gate stood Wallace, with Scrymgeour and
Murray. The earl knew Scrymgeour well, having often seen him in the
field as hereditary standard-bearer of the kingdom; of the persons of
the others he was ignorant.
"There is Wallace!" exclaimed Kirkpatrick.
"Not one of those very young men?" interrogated the earl.
"Even so," was the answer of the knight; "but his is the youth of the
brave son of Ammon; gray beards are glad to bow before his golden
locks, for beneath them is wisdom.
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