Ruthven, meanwhile, went for a few minutes into the castle to embrace
his niece, and to assure the venerable Lord of Roslyn that assistance
approached his beleaguered walls.
Edwin, who, with Grimsby, had volunteered the dangerous service of
reconnoitering the enemy, returned within an hour, bringing in a
straggler from the English camp. His life was promised him on
condition of his revealing the strength of the advancing army. The
terrified wretch did not hesitate; and from him they learned that it
was commanded by Sir John Segrave and Ralph Confrey, who, deeming the
country subdued by the two last battles gained over the Black and Red
Cummins,** were preparing for a general plundering. And, to sweep the
land at once, Segrave had divided his army into three divisions, to
scatter themselves over the country, and everywhere gather in the
spoil. To be assured of this being the truth, while Grimsby remained
to guard the prisoner, Edwin went alone into the track he was told the
Southrons would take, and from a height he discerned about ten thousand
of them winding along the valley. With this confirmation of the man's
account, he brought him to the Scottish lines; and Wallace, who well
knew how to reap advantage from the errors of his enemies, being joined
by Fraser and the discomfited regent, made the concerted signal to
Ruthven.
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