"Behold that hill of fire!" cried he, "and cease to
despair." "Wallace comes!" was their response; "and we will do or
die!"**
**The mountain from which this beacon sent its rays has from that hour
been called Tinto or Tintoc (which signifies the Hill of Fire), and is
yet regarded by the country people with a devotion almost idolatrous.
Its height is about 2,260 feet from the sea.
Day broke upon Wallace as he crossed the heights of Drumlaurig, and
pouring his thousands over the almost deserted valleys of Annandale,
like a torrent he swept the invaders back upon their steps. He took
young Percy prisoner, and leaving him shut up in Lochmaben, drove his
flying vassals far beyond the borders.
Annandale again free, he went into its various quarters, and summoning
the people (who now crept from their caves and woods, to shelter under
his shield), he reproved them for their cowardice; and showed them,
that unless every man possesses a courage equal to his general, he must
expect to fall under the yoke of the enemy. "Faith in a leader is
good," said he; "but not such a faith as leaves him to act, without
yourselves rendering that assistance to your own preservation, which
Heaven itself commands.
Pages:
667
668
669
670
671
672
673
674
675
676
677
678
679
680
681
682
683
684
685
686
687
688
689
690
691