"
"What he says," cried Buchan, "I second." "And in the same spirit,
chieftain of Ellerslie," exclaimed Lord Bute, "do I offer to Scotland
myself and my people. Another must lead the van, or I retire from her
standard."
"Speak on!" cried Wallace, more surprised than confounded by this
extraordinary attack.
"What these illustrious chiefs have uttered, is the voice of us all!"
was the general exclamation from a band of warriors who now thronged
around the incendiary nobles.
"Your reign is over, proud chieftain," rejoined Athol; "the Scottish
ranks are no longer to be cajoled by your affected moderation. We see
the tyrant in your insidious smile, we feel him in the despotism of
your decrees. To be thus ridden by a man of vulgar blood; to present
him as the head of our nation to the King of England, is beneath the
dignity of our country, is an insult to our nobles; and therefore, in
the power of her consequence, I speak, and again demand of you to yield
the vanguard to one more worthy of the station. Before God and St.
Magdalen I swear," added he, holding up his sword to the heavens, "I
will not stir an inch this day toward the enemy unless a Cummin or a
Stewart lead our army.
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