Page:History of the Scottish patriot, Sir Wm. Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie.pdf/11

Rh Once more had the English recourse to their bloodhound to trace their steps, and soon again were they in sight of each other. Two miles of rising ground had the Scots to climb before they reached a place of defence; and the night, which was fast approaching, filled them with the hope of reaching a place of safety. One Fawdon, who was wearied with fatigue, declared his inability to proceed; and as he was formerly suspected of treason, Wallace put an end to his existence, his followers coneurringconcurring [sic] in the justice of the act. The English gaining upon the retreating handful, they dispersed, the mantle of night protecting them against the foe, and the blood of Fawdon stopping their hound. As the English approached the body of the traitor, Kierly and Stephen mingled with the throng, and when Sir Gerald bowed to examine the body, Kierly pierced him to the heart with his dagger. The cry of treason was resounded, but, in the general confusion, aided by the darkness of the night, the intrepid Scotsmen escaped. On the following morning, as Wallace was lamenting over the fate of his country, an English leader rode up to him, and demanded what he was doing there; but his only answer was the unsheathing of his sword, and the Englishman fell to rise no more. Wallace mounted his victim’s horse, rode across the plain, and the road being everywhere beset with the English, who had witnessed the deed, Wallace fearlessly dashed (through their ranks, slew 20 of them, and made his escape. Arriving on the banks of the Forth, though wearied and bleeding, he dauntlessly plunged into the river, and arrived at the house of a widow, an old acquaintance. Next day he sent to some of his friends at Dunipace for money and other necessaries which he required, and instantly his uncle delivered them in person. The meeting of Kierly and Stephen with their conquering hero can be more easily conceived than described. The patriotic hand now consisted of Kierly, Stephen, the widow’s two sons,