When they arrived, he was at Huntingtower, and thither they
went. The meeting was fraught with many mingled feelings. Helen had
not seen her uncle since the death of her father; and, as soon as the
first gratulations were over, she retired to an apartment to weep alone.
On Cummin's being presented to Lord Ruthven, the earl told him he must
now salute him as Lord Badenoch, his brother having been killed a few
days before in a skirmish on the skirts of Ettrick Forest. Ruthven
then turned to welcome the entrance of Bruce, who, raising his visor,
received from the loyal chief the homage due to his sovereign dignity.
Wallace and the prince soon engaged him in a discourse immediately
connected with the design of their return; and learned that Scotland
did indeed require the royal arm, and the counsel of its best and
lately almost banished friend. Much of the eastern part of the country
was again in possession of Edward's generals. They had seized on every
castle in the Lowlands; none having been considered too insignificant
to escape their hands. Nor could the quiet of reposing age elude the
general devastation; and after a dauntless defense of his castle, the
veteran Knight of Thirlestane had fallen, and with him his only son.
Pages:
975
976
977
978
979
980
981
982
983
984
985
986
987
988
989
990
991
992
993
994
995
996
997
998
999