Helen's only reply was a sigh,
and her eyes turned unconsciously on Wallace. He was clad in a plain
suit of black armor, with a red plume in his helmet--the ensign of the
Reaver, whose name he had assumed. All of his former habit that he now
wore about him, was the sword which he had taken from Edward. At the
moment Helen looked toward Wallace, Prince Louis was placing a
cross-hilted dagger in his girdle. "My deliverer," said he, "wear this
for the sake of the descendant of St. Louis. It accompanied that holy
king through all his wars in Palestine. It twice saved him from the
assassin's steel; and I pray Heaven it may prove as faithful to you."**
**The author was shown the dagger of Wallace by a friend. It was of
very strong but simple workmanship, and could be used as a knife as
well as a weapon.
Soon after this, Douglas and Cummin entered, to pay their parting
respects to the king; and that over, Wallace taking Helen by the hand,
led her forth, followed by Bruce and his friends.
At Havre, they embarked for the Frith of Tay; and a favorable gate
driving them through the straits of Calais, they launched out into the
wide ocean.
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