I would neither have my chieftains set examples of
cruelty, nor degrade themselves by imitating the barbarities of our
enemies. That Scotland bleeds every pore is true; but let peace be our
aim, and we shall heal all her wounds."
"Then I am not to cut off the ears of the freebooters in Annandale?"
cried Kirkpatrick, with a good-humored smile. "Have it as you will, my
general, only you must new christen me to wash the war-stain from my
hand. The rite of my infancy was performed as became a soldier's son;
my fount was my father's helmet and the first pap I sucked lay on the
point of his sword."
"You have not shamed your nurse!" cried Murray.
"Nor will I," answered Kirkpatrick, "while the arm that slew
Cressingham remains unwithered."
While he spoke, Ker entered to ask permission to introduce a messenger
from Earl de Warenne. Wallace gave consent. It was Sir Hugh le de
Spencer, a near kinsman of the Earl of Hereford, the tumultory
constable of England. He was the envoy who had brought the Prince of
Wales' dispatches to Stirling. Wallace was standing when he entered,
and so were the chieftains, but at his appearance they sat down.
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