In pursuance
of his usurping commission, the earl is now marching rapidly toward the
Lothians, in the hope of intercepting you in your progress.
"Thanks to the constant information you send us of your movements, for
being able to surprise you of this danger! I should have attempted to
have checked the Southron, by annoying his flanks, had not his numbers
rendered such an enterprise on my part hopeless. But his aim being to
come up with you, if you meet him in the van, we shall have him in the
rear; and, so surrounded, he must be cut to pieces. Surely the tree
you planted in Dumbarton, is not now to be blasted!
"Ever your general's and Scotland's true servant,
"Eustace Maxwell."
"What answer?" inquired Ker.
Wallace hastily engraved with his dagger's point upon his gauntlet,
"Reviresco!** Our sun is above!" and desiring it to be given to the
messenger to carry to Sir Eustace Maxwell, he refixed himself in his
saddle, and spurred over the Carron.
**Reviresco! means "I bud again!" This encouraging word is now the
reuto of the Maxwell arms.
The moon was near her meridian as the wearied troops halted on the deep
shadows of the Carse of Stirling.
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