Every man in the
keep flew to arms, expecting that Wallace was returning upon them with
the host he had threatened. In a few minutes the Lord Ruthven, with
his brave followers, entered the inner ballium gate. Wallace smiled
proudly as they drew near. "My lords," said he, "you come to witness
the last act of my delegated power! Sir Alexander Scrymgeour, enter
into that hall, which was once the seat of council, and tell the
violent men who fill it, that for the peace of Scotland, which I value
more than my life, I allow them to stand unpunished of their offense
against me. But the outrage they have committed on the freedom of one
of her bravest sons I will not pardon, unless he be immediately set at
liberty; let them deliver to you Sir Alexander Ramsay, and then I
permit them to hear my final decision. IF they refuse obedience, they
are all my prisoners, and, but for my pity on their blindness, should
perish by the laws."
Eager to open the prison door for his friend Ramsay, and little
suspecting to what he was calling the insurgents, Scrymgeour hastened
to obey. Lorn and Badenoch gave him a very rough reception, uttering
such rebellious defiance of the regent that the brave standard-bearer
lost all patience, and denounced the immediate deaths of the whole
refractory assembly.
Pages:
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798
799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807