He had sent Sir John Graham to Stirling, to call out its garrison; Ker
he had dispatched on a similar errand; and expecting that by this time
some of the troops would be arrived on the southern extremity of the
carse, he threw his plaid over the prince's splendid garb to conceal
him from notice; then returning to the few who lay on the northern bank
of the river, he asked one of the young Gordons to lend him his armor,
saying he had use for it, and to seek another suit in the heap that had
been collected from the buried dead. The brave Scot cheerfully
acquiesced; and, Wallace retiring amongst the trees with his royal
companion, Bruce soon covered his gay hacqueton with this rough mail;
and placing the Scottish bonnet on his head, put a large stone into the
golden helmet, and sunk it in the waters of the Carron. Being thus
completely armed like one of the youthful clansmen in the ranks (and
such disguise was necessary), Wallace put the trusty claymore of his
country into its prince's hand; and clasping him with a hero's warmth
to his heart--
"Now it is," cried he, "that William Wallace lives anew since he has
seen this hour!"
On re-emerging from the wood, they met Sir John Graham, who had just
arrived with five hundred fugitives from Lord Bute's slaughtered
division, whom he had rallied on the carse.
Pages:
748
749
750
751
752
753
754
755
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772