Now it was that the
full clangor of joy burst from every breast and triumph-breathing
instrument in the Scottish legions; now it was that the echoes rung
with loud huzzas of "Long live the valiant Wallace, who brings our
nobles out of captivity! Long live our matchless regent!"
As these shouts rent the air, the Lords Badenoch and Athol drew near.
The princely head of the former bent with proud acknowledgement to the
mild dignity of Wallace. Badenoch's penetrating eye saw that it was
indeed the patriotic guardian of his country to whom he bowed, and not
the vain affector of regal power. At his approach, Wallace alighted
form his horse, and received his offered hand and thanks with every
grace inherent in his noble nature. "I am happy" returned he, "to have
been the instrument of recalling to my country one of the princes of
her royal blood." "And while one drop of it exists in Scotland,"
replied Badenoch, "its possessors must acknowledge the bravest of our
defenders in Sir William Wallace."
Athol next advanced, but his gloomy countenance contradicted his words
when he attempted to utter a similar sense of obligation. Sir John
Monteith was eloquent in his thanks.
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