Page:History of Sir William Wallace (2).pdf/16

                               16 pause in time; if you have but the heart, you may yet win a crown with glory, and wear it with justice. I can do neither; but what I can, I will,—live and die a free-born sub- ject.

These noble sentiments, uttered with a firm and determined tone of voice, made a deep impression on the mind of Bruce. The conference was, however, suddenly put an end to by the approach of a hostile body of horse.

The retreat of Wallace from the field of Falkirk has justly been considered as a mas- ter piece of generalship. The number of English present at the engagement is stated, by historians of credit, at ninety thousand men, while the Scottish force did not amount to one-third of that number. The loss on both sides, in this battle, must have been very great. Amongst the slain on the Scot- tish side, none was more sincerely mourned than Sir John the Graham, who, giving way