Many brave chiefs followed me to that field! and more,
whom I see now, loaded me as I passed with benedictions. Portentous
was the day of Falkirk to Scotland. Then did the mighty fall, and the
heads of counsel perish. But treason was the parricide! The late Lord
Badenoch stood his ground like a true Scot; but Athol and Buchan
deserted to Edward." While speaking, he turned toward the furious son
of Badenoch, who, gnashing his teeth in impotent rage, stood listening
to the inflaming whispers of Macdougal of Lorn. "Young chief," cried
he, "from their treachery date the fate of your brave father, and the
whole of our grievous loss of that day; but the wide destruction has
been avenged! more than chief for chief have perished in the Southron
ranks, and thousands of the lowlier sort now swell the banks of Carron.
Edward himself fell, wounded by my arm, and was born by his flying
squadrons over the wastes of Northumberland. Thus have I returned to
you with my duties achieved in a manner worthy of your regent! What,
then, means the arrest of my embassador? what this silence when the
representative of your power is insulted to your face?
"They mean," cried Badenoch, "that my words are the utterance of their
sentiments.
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