The instant struggle was violent, but short; for the impetuous
Scots drove their amazed and enfeebled adversaries through the
aperture, back into the citadel. At this crisis, Wallace, with a band
of resolute men, sprung from the tower upon the wall; and it being
almost deserted by its late guards (who had quitted their post to
assist in repelling the foe below), he leaped into the midst of the
conflict and the battle became general. It was decisive; for beholding
the undaunted resolution with which the weakened and dying were
supporting the cause their governor was determined to defend to the
last, Wallace found his admiration and his pity alike excited; and even
while his followers seemed to have each his foe's life in his hands,
when one instant more would make him the undisputed master of the
castle (for not a Southron would then breathe to dispute it), he
resolved to stop the carnage. At the moment when a gallant officer,
who, having assaulted him with the vehemence of despair, now lay
disarmed under him; at that moment when the discomfited knight
exclaimed, "In mercy strike, and redeem the honor of Ralph de
Monthermer!"** Wallace raised his bugle and sounded the note of peace.
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