I give them to you and yours. Marion and I
have no posterity! Let her foster-brother, if he still live-let him be
now the Laird of Lammington."
"He does live," replied the old man, "but the shadow of what he was.
In attempting, with a few resolute lads, to defend these domains, he
was severely wounded. His companions were slain, and I found him on
the other side of my lady's garden left for dead. We fled with him to
the woods, and there remained till all about here was laid in ashes.
Finding the cruel Southrons had made a general waste, yet fearful of
fresh incursions, we and others who had been driven from their homes,
dug us subterraneous dwellings, and ever since have lived like fairies
in the green hillside. My son and his young wife and babes are now in
our cavern, but reduced by sickness and want, for famine is here.
Alas, the Southrons, in conquering Scotland, have not gained a kingdom,
but made a desert!"
"And there is a God who marks," returned Wallace; "I go to reap the
harvests of Northumberland. What our enemies have ravished hence in
part they shall refund; a few days, and your granaries shall overflow.
Meanwhile, I leave you with my friend," said he, pointing to Murray,
"at the head of five hundred men.
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