"This is Sir William Wallace, young man," said Ker; "deliver your
embassy."
At these words the youth pulled a packet from his bosom, and putting it
into the chief's hand, retired in confusion. Wallace gave orders to
Ker to take care of him, and then turned to inspect its contents. He
wondered from whom it would come, aware of no Scot in Stirling who
would dare to write to him while that town was possessed by the enemy.
But not losing a moment in conjecture, he broke the seal.
How was he startled at the first words! and how was every energy of his
heart roused to redoubled action when he turned to the signature! The
first words in the letter were these:
"A daughter, trembling for the life of her father, presumes to address
Sir William Wallace." The signature was "Helen Mar." He began the
letter again:
"A daughter, trembling for the life of her father, presumes to address
Sir William Wallace. Alas! it will be a long letter! for it is to tell
of our countless distresses. You have been his deliverer from the
sword, from chains, and from the waves. Refuse not to save him again
to whom you have so often given life, and hasten, brave Wallace, to
preserve the Earl of Mar from the scaffold.
Pages:
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447