Page:History of Sir William Wallace (2).pdf/9

                              9 that they kept no guard or watch, not sus- pecting there were any enemies so near them, directed a woman, who knew the place, to mark with chalk the doors of the lodgings where the Englishmen lay. Then he sent a party of men, who, with strong ropes, made all the doors so fast on the outside, that those within could not open them. On the outside the Scots had pre- pared heaps of straw, to which they set fire, and the Barns of Ayr, being themselves made of wood, were soon burning in a bright flame. Then the English were awakened, and endeavoured to get out to save their lives. But the doors were secured on the outside, and bound fast with ropes; and, besides,the blazing houses were surrounded by the Scots, who forced those who got out to run back into the fire, or .else put them to death on the spot; and thus great numbers perished miserably.

Wallace now at the head of a consider- able army, being informed that the