But all his promptitude proved of no effect. The walls were giving way
in parts, and Wallace was mounting by scaling-ladders, and clasping the
parapets with bridges from his towers. Driven to extremity,
Cressingham resolved to try the attachment of the Scots for Lord Mar;
and even at the moment when their chief had seized the barbican and
outer ballium, this sanguinary politician ordered the imprisoned earl
to be brought out upon the wall of the inner ballia. A rope was round
his neck, which was instantly run through a groove, that projected from
the nearest tower.
At this sight, horror froze the ardent blood of Wallace. But the
intrepid earl, descrying his friend on the ladder which might soon
carry him to the summit of the battlement, exclaimed, "Forward! Let
not my span of life stand between my country and this glorious day for
Scotland's freedom!"
"Execute the sentence!" cried the infuriate Cressingham.
At these words, Murray and Edwin precipitated themselves upon the
ramparts, and mowed down all before them, in a direction toward their
uncle. The lieutenant who held the cord, aware of the impolicy of the
cruel mandate, hesitated to fulfill it; and now, fearing a rescue from
the impetuous Scots, hurried his victim off the works, back to his
prison.
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