"
He then proceeded to inform Wallace, that on the very night in which
they parted at Douglas, Sir Arthur Heselrigge was told the story of the
box: and accordingly sent to have Monteith brought prisoner to Lanark.
He lay in the dungeons of its citadel at the very time Wallace entered
that town and destroyed the governor. Though the Scots did not pursue
the advantage offered by the transient panic into which the retribution
threw their enemies, care was immediately taken by the English
lieutenant to prevent a repetition of the same disasters; and, in
consequence, every suspected person was seized, and those already in
confinement loaded with chains. Monteith being known as a friend of
Wallace, was sent under a strong guard toward Stirling, there to stand
his trial before Cressingham and the English Justiciary, Ormsby. "By a
lucky chance," said he, "I made my escape; but I was soon retaken by
another party, and conveyed to Ayr, where the Lieutenant-governor
Arnuf, discovering my talents for music, compelled me to sing at his
entertainments."
"For this purpose, he last night confined me in the banquetingroom at
the palace, and thus, when the flames surrounded that building, I found
myself exposed to die the death of a traitor, though then as much
oppressed as any other Scot.
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