"
"And is this your resolution also, Lord Bute?" said Wallace, looking on
Stewart. "It is," was the reply; "a foe like Edward ought to be met as
becomes a great and independent kingdom. We go in the array of an
unanimous nation to repel him; not as a band of insurgents, headed by a
general who, however brave, was yet drawn from the common ranks of the
people. I therefore demand to follow a more illustrious leader to the
field."
"The eagles have long enough followed their owl in peacock's feathers,"
cried Buchan; "and being tired of the game, I, like the rest, soar
upward again!"
"Resign that baton!" cried Athol; "give peace to a more honorable
leader!" repeated he, supposed that he had intimidated Wallace; but
Wallace, raising the visor of his helmet, which he had closed on his
last commands to his generals, looked on Athol with all the majesty of
his truly royal soul in his eyes: "Earl," said he, "the voices of the
three estates of Scotland declared me their regent, and God ratified
the election by the victories with which he crowned me. If in aught I
have betrayed my trust, led the powers which raised me be my accusers.
Four pitched battles have I fought and gained for this country.
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