Page:History of Sir William Wallace (1).pdf/93

 ( 93 ) perſon, and expoſed hunſelf to danger. with the ardour and imperuolity of youth. Every military engine, and all the artifices of 'at- fault were employed. They held out during three monthſ. The ditch was fri ed up; the out-works demolished; many breaches raade in the alls; and the whole ca ile appeared one pile of ruins. With great reluctance, Oliphant at laſt propoſed to capitulate. Edward would not listen to his propoſals and he, with the other ſur- vivors of this heroic garriſon, were com- pelled to ſurrender at diſeretion. To the honour of Edward, however, he ſo reſpected their uncommon valour, that he ſpared their lives, and alſo ſpared them the ignominy and pain of being bound with fetters. Stirling caſtle is ſituated upon the extre- mity of a vaulted rock compoſed of jointed pilrars of a pentagonal form and is of great antiquity: but its animals reach only to the ninth century. When the Scots overcame the Picts they were anxious to deſtroy every reinnans of that people; and, among the reil, this castle was unwiſely demoliſhed. It was, however rebuilt in the reigt. Donald V. During the Damſh invaſion, in the year 1000, it waſ he rend zvous of the Scottiſh army. In the 12th century is van one of the most important fortrefl's in the kingdom; and was one of the four delivered up to the Engliſh,