Page:History of Sir William Wallace (1).pdf/27

 ( 27 ) daimtless he plunged into the stream. though wearied and bleeding, and arrived at the op- posite bank. Forlorn and dejected, after a long journey he arrived at the house of a widow, with whom he was acquainted, in the neigh- bourhood of Torwood. In order to rest during the night, see tre from the enemy, a bud was formed in a thick part of the wood, difficult of access. The night being cold and his limbs wearied and chilled, he soon fell asleep, with the widow's two sons for his guards. He had previously dispatched his, hostess' two daugh- ters to seek out the followers he had left in the wood where he slew Butler, and to receive intelligence of the enemy. Next day, he sent to his friends at Dunipace for money, and some necessaries which he re- quired, and his uncle immediately delivered them in person. It was not long before Kierly and Stephen were seen approaching their elr f- tain's covert with hasty strides. The meeting of these valiant friends may be better imagined than described; words were inadequate to ex- press their feelings, and tears and fond embraces alone could express their first emotions --Im- patient to gather those faithful to his cause, he fixed upon the next day for his departure. His little band, consisting of Kierly, Stephen, the widow's two sons, and himself, bent their way to Dundaff-heath, the property of one Sir John Graham. This aged nobleman had been obliged to own the power of the English, divugli ever friendly to his country's cause.--- € 2 Thither