Page:History of Sir William Wallace (1).pdf/90

 ( 90 ) of the besiegers' engines produced. Amidst this rash and unavailing display of heroism, he was mortally wounded by a stone discharged from one of the enes. May we now sur- render the castle?" said soldiers when they saw him fall: Cowards! surrender-"returned the indignant hero, and, as he uttered these words, expired. Animated by his dying ex- clamation, they renewed their efforts, and until the next day, held out against the greatest efforts of the besiegers. Edward, having made himself master of that castle, pursued his vic- turies even to Caithness. Brechin-Castle is built on the brink of a perpendicular rock, overhanging the river South Esk, which washes the foot of the hill. on which the town stands. The present castle is a modern editice, and much aduired for its romantic situation. The proprietor has laid out gardens of great extent, and in a very superior style: In the vicinity are the remains of a Danish camp. The town of Brechin was anciently walld; and some relicts of the ancient gates still remain. It has twice been ruined by fire : once by the Danes, in 1012 and again by the Marquis of Montrose, in the year 1665.- Brechin was a Bishopric, founded by David T. and very richly endowed; the cathedral is an ancient Gothic pile, supported by twelve pillars. Near the church is one of those round towers called Druidical towers, of which there is only Pother in Scotland, that of Abernethy. Pes