The whole band rushed into the tent;
and Stephen Ireland, who was foremost, raising his voice above the
rest, exclaimed:
"They are the traitors, my lord, who accuse you! It is determined, by
our corrupted thanes, that Scotland shall be sacrificed, and you are to
be made the first victim. Think they, then, that we will obey such
parricides? Lead us on, thou only worthy of the name of regent, and we
will hurl these usurpers from their thrones."
This demand was reiterated by every man present--was echoed by hundreds
who surrounded the tent. The Bothwell men and Ramsay's followers
joined the men of Lanark, and the mutiny against the orders of the
regent became general. Wallace walked out into the open field, and
mounting his horse, rode forth amongst them. At sight of him the air
resounded with acclamations, unceasingly proclaiming him their only
leader, but, stretching out his arm to them, in token of silence, they
became profoundly still.
"My friends and brother soldiers," cried he. "as you value the honor of
William Wallace, as you have hitherto done this moment yield him
implicit obedience."
"Forever!" shouted the Bothwel1 men.
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