Page:History of the Scottish patriot, Sir Wm. Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie.pdf/13

Rh of night, attacked and took the town; and, after refreshing themselves, reduced the fort, and took their route towards the castle of Crawford, which, after slaying a great number of the enemy, they reduced to ashes. After several inconsiderable skirmishes, the little army dispersed for the winter, and agreed to repair to Lanark and its neighbourhood, and to assemble at their chieftain’s signal. Wallace repaired to Lanark, and was soon married to his lovely bride, who told him of the brutal and deceitful arts of Hazelrigg, the English leader, to win her. During the winter Wallace remained disguised, and would often have delivered his wife from such an unwelcome visitor as Hazelrigg, but prudence caused him to delay the fatal blow.

The time had now arrived when he was to meet his followers; and, after taking a farewell of his young wife, whom he informed that he had a chosen band to conduct her to a place of safety, he proceeded through the plain, and choosing an elevated situation, he raised his horn, and blew a shrill blast that rent the air. He was soon surrounded by his followers; and after a short but very impressive address from their leader, they alarmed the enemy with their shouts, and swore to follow the immortal Wallace. Alarmed at these sudden preparations, Hazelrigg, with 1000 well-clad warriors, marched to seek the daring foe; but, being disappointed in the pursuit, he returned to the town, where he was informed that the lady to whom he was paying his addresses was the lawful wife of Wallace, and that he had been concealed in disguise several months, he repaired to her house, and stained his hands in her innocent blood. The doleful news were soon communicated to Wallace, which overwhelmed him and his followers for a moment with sorrow; but as the night was approaching, they resolved to march into the town, and surprise their enemies while drowned in sleep. They arrived without being observed, and, having separated into two divisions,