I shall not
obey their summons to Stirling; neither will I permit a hostile arm to
be raised in this camp against their delegates, unless the violence
begins with them. This is my answer." Uttering these words he
motioned Bothwell to follow him, and left the tent.
Crossing a rude plank-bridge, which then lay over the Eske, he met Lord
Ruthven, accompanied by Edwin and Lord Sinclair. The latter came to
inform Wallace that embassadors from Edward awaited his presence at
Roslyn.
"They came to offer peace to our distracted country," cried Sinclair.
"Then," answered Wallace, "I shall not delay going where I may hear the
terms." Horses were brought; and, during their short ride, to prevent
the impassioned representations of the still raging Bothwell, Wallace
communicated, to his not less indignant friends, the particulars of the
scene he had left. "These contentions must be terminated," added he;
"and with God's blessing, a few days and they shall be so!"
"Heaven grant it!" returned Sinclair, thinking he referred to the
proposed negotiation. "If Edward's offers be at all reasonable, I
would urge you to accept them; otherwise invasion from without, and
civil commotion within, will probably make a desert of poor Scotland.
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