Wallace was no sooner told of the approach of the venerable chief, than
he set forth to bid him welcome. At sight of the champion of Scotland,
Sir Richard threw himself off his horse with a military grace that
might have become even youthful years; and hastening toward Wallace,
clasped him in his arms.
"Let me look on thee!" cried the old knight; "let me feast my eyes on
the true Scot, who again raises this hoary head, so long bent in shame
for its dishonored country!" While he spoke, he viewed Wallace from
head to foot. "I knew Sir Ronald Crawford, and thy valiant father,"
continued he, "O! had they lived to see this day! But the base murder
of the one thou hast nobly avenged, and the honorable grave of the
other, on Loudon Hill,** thou wilt cover with a monument of thine own
glories. Low are laid my own children, in this land of strife, but in
thee I see a son of Scotland that is to dry all our tears."
**Sir Malcolm Wallace, the father of Sir William Wallace, was killed in
the year 1295, on Loudon Hill, in a battle with the English.
He embraced Wallace again and again; and, as the veteran's overflowing
heart rendered him garrulous, he expatiated on the energy with which
the young victor had pursued his conquests, and paralleled them with
the brilliant actions he had seen in his youth.
Pages:
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444