Page:History of the Scottish patriot, Sir Wm. Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie.pdf/12

12 and Wallace, who bent their way to Sir John Graham’s at Dundaffheath, whose son, a brave and hardy youth, volunteered to follow the gallant Wallace. Our hero declined his services for the present, but promised to inform him when he had gathered sufficient force to face the foe.

Arriving at his nephew’s at Kilbank, he sent information to his numerous friends throughout the country, who speedily flocked around their chieftain’s standard. While he remained here he frequently went in disguise to Lochmaben, where one Clifford, with insolence and cruelty, bore the chief command. During one of his visits he was enraged at seeing the commander using his authority with a malicious intent to disgrace his countrymen; he drew his well-tried sword, and slew the usurping tyrant. The enemy assembling to the pursuit, he flew to inform his valiant followers of their approach. They hastened to the nearest thickets to preserve themselves as much as possible from the enemy’s fury. The armies met, and the Scots dealt destruction around, reducing the English to such a degree, that they were about giving way, when the gallant Moreland arrived with reinforcements to their aid. The Scots, being closely hemmed in, resolved to conquer or to die. The English, encouraged by the presence of their warlike leader, renewed the combat with equal fury. Wallace burst through the tumultuous crowd, and laid the gallant Moreland prostrate on the field, which caused the enemy to give way on every side, and flee before the victorious Scots. Scarcely had they enjoyed a moment of congratulation, when the enemy again appeared under the haughty Graystock. The Scots, though wearied with the long contest, remained unshaken, and prepared again for the attack. At this eventful moment the young Graham appeared with an armed retinue to support his friends; the English were repulsed with dreadful slaughter, and retreated before the thrice victorious band. The Scots, in the dead