Page:History of Sir William Wallace (1).pdf/60

 ( 60 ) retiring? Why brand his memory with the false report of inactivity and want of courage? But this is contrary to the assertions of our historian. Buchanan, and of the best Scottish authors, who all maintain, and not without the most undoubted proof, to use the words of a celebrated Frenchman, Pierre de'Orleans, who likewise affirms, “That he did nothing derogatory to his character, was still himself; and that while his valour was conspicuous in the combat, his prudence was fully evinced in the retreat. to corroborate these asser- tions, we might adduce the fact, that not one English author mentions the circumstance of his not being engaged, much less contradicts it; on the contrary, they mention him as com- mander, in chief of the Scottish army, and as having chosen an advantageous, situation, and urged his men to exhibit their ancient discip- line and tour. But the following fact puts a stop to all doubts and disputes on the subject. It is notorious, that as Macduff, grand uncle to the Earl of Fife. fell in the division which Sir John Stewart commanded, so the young and valiant Sir John Graham, of Aberdeen and Dundaff who on account of the similitude of his ind pendent spirit and heroic qualifica- tions, with those of the immortal Wallace, in- separably attached himself to the warrior's interest, person, and fate, and was always a steady friend in the combat, and stood ready to support him was killed in the division which Wallace commanded. It must, however, be acknow-