The sight of
these standards was sufficient to assure Hilton there was no deceit in
the embassy. The nature of his position precluded retreat; and not
seeing any reason for ten thousand men disputing the day with a power
to whom fifty thousand had just surrendered, he and his compeer, with
the reluctance of veterans, embraced the terms of surrender.
The instant Hilton put his argent banner** into the victor's hand,
Wallace knew that the castle must now be his; he had discomfited all
who could have maintained it against him. Impatient to apprise Lord
Mar and his family of their safety, he dispatched Murray with a
considerable escort to demand its surrender.
**The arms of Hilton are, argent, two bars azure. The charge on those
of Blenkinsopp are three wheat-sheaves; crest, a lion rampant, grasping
a rose. The ruins of the patrimonial castles of these two ancient
barons are still to be seen in the north of England. The author's
revered mother was a descendant from the latter venerable name, united
with that of the brave and erudite race of Adamson, of further north.
Murray gladly obeyed, and now, accompanied by Edwin, with the standards
of Cressingham and De Warenne trailing in the dust, he arrived before
the castle, and summoned the lieutenant to the walls.
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