"When Sir William Wallace is
entering full sail, you will send your hirelings to tow him in! but if
a plank could save him now, you would not throw it to him! I
understand you, sirs, and shall trouble your patriotism no more."
In short, none but about a hundred poor fellows whom outrages had
rendered desperate, and a few brave spirits who would put all to the
hazard for so good a cause, could be prevailed on to hold themselves in
readiness to obey Sir Eustace, when he should see the moment to conduct
them to Sir William Wallace. He was trying his eloquence among the
clan at Lennox, when Ker arriving, stamped his persuasions with truth;
and above five hundred men arranged themselves under their lord's
standard. Maxwell gladly explained himself to Wallace's lieutenant;
and summoning his little reserve, they marched with flying pennons
through the town of Dumbarton. At sight of so much larger a power than
they expected would venture to appear in arms, and sanctioned by the
example of the Earl of Lennox (whose name held a great influence in
those parts), several, who before had held back, from doubting their
own judgment, now came forward; and nearly eight hundred well-appointed
men marched into the fortress.
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