Page:History of Sir William Wallace (1).pdf/46

 ( 46 ) obscure private gentleman, unaccustomed to martial adventures, and unprovided of either money or arms, but those he took from the enemy. Though the spoil of the battle of Stirling was very considerable, yet such numerous armies had been ranging every quarter of the kingdom, that a general famine seemed un- avdieable. To prevent the impending calamity, the guardian commanded all who were capable of bearing arms to join him alternately, at cer- tam times and places; and caused a gibbet to be erected in every town and village, for the immediate execution of those who either de- serted their colours, or refused to repair to the army when required. He divided the kingdom' into districts, and sub-divided these in such a manner that he could draw out all the men contained in them at pleasure, of whom he had a correct list of ab tween sixteen and sixty. The men thus mustered were formed into regiments with proper officers, distinguished more by merit than rank of life. Having arranged all his domestic places, and appointed Andrew Mur- ray surnamed the Noble, son of the late Andrew Murray, who fell in tire battle at Stirling, commander under himself, he entered England in his turn. Alarmed by his name and approach, the inhabitants of  Northberland fled, with their families and property, to Newcastle, leaving the country defenceless. Upon this, Wallace halted,