"(Signed)
John Cummin,
"Earl of Badenoch, Lord Regent of Scotland.
"Stirling Castle."
Wallace returned the letter to Fraser with an undisturbed countenance.
"I have received a similar order from the regent," said he; "and though
I cannot guess the source whence these accusations spring, I fear not
to meet them, and shall require no guard to speed me forward to the
scene of my defense. I am ready to go, my friend, and happy to resign
the brave garrison, that has just surrendered, to your honor and
lenity." Fraser answered that he should be emulous to follow his
example in all things, and to abide by his agreements with the Southron
governor. He then retired to prepare the army for the departure of
their commander, and, much against his feelings, to call out the escort
that was to attend the calumniated chief Stirling.
When the marshal of the army read to the officers and men the orders of
the regent, a speechless consternation seized on one part of the
troops, and as violent an indignation agitated the other to tumult.
The veterans, who had followed the chief of Ellerslie from the first
hour of his appearing as a patriot in arms, could not brook this
aspersion upon their leader's honor; and had it not been for the
vehement exhortations of the no less incensed, though more moderate,
Scrymgeour and Lockhart, they would have risen in instant revolt.
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