Page:History of Sir William Wallace (2).pdf/14

                          14 however the outermost ranks were brought to the ground, and the English infantry incessantly galled the Scots with showers of stones and arrows. The brave Macduff and Sir John Graham the bosom friend of Wal- lace, had already fallen, when at length the Scots were broken by the overwhelming numbers and weight of the English cavalry and the rout became universal.

Wallace now had no alternative, but to direct, his troops to cross the Carron, and occupy a position which commanded the ford. In the meantime, with a small, but choice body of his friends, he kept in the rear, to cover their retreat, and bravely charged and repulsed those successively that were most forward in the pursuit. In one of these ef- forts, Wallace advanced alone, from the midst of his little band, and with a single blow slew a knight Templar, named Brian le Jay, of high military renown, who had shown himself most active in the pursuit. Among the number of those who ardently