At the sound of
steps, Wallace looked up.
"This young man," said the father, "brings dispatches to the lord
regent."
Wallace rose, and the youth presented his packet. Withdrawing to a
little distance, he broke the seal, and read to this effect:
"My father and myself are in the Castle of Durham, and both under an
arrest. We are to remain so till our arrival in London renders its
sovereign, in his own opinion, more secure: when there, you shall hear
from me again. Meanwhile, be on your guard: the gold of Edward has
found its way into your councils. Beware of them who, with patriotism
in their mouths, are purchased to betray you and their country into the
hands of the enemy! Truest, noblest, best of Scots, farewell!--I must
not write more explicitly.
"P.S.--The messenger who takes this is a simple border shepherd: he
knows not whence comes the packet, hence he cannot bring an answer."
Wallace closed the letter; and putting gold into the shepherd's hand,
left the chapel. In passing through the cloisters he met Ruthven, just
returned from Stirling, whither he had gone to inform the chiefs of the
council of the regent's arrival.
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