Page:History of the Scottish patriot, Sir Wm. Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie.pdf/18

18 their dispositions, raised a large army, and next summer came to Falkirk, about 11 miles from Stirling. The Scottish army was not far distant, and sufficiently powerful, being 30,000 strong, if their leaders had been united among themselves. But there were three commanders,— John Comyn, John Stewart, and William Wallace; and when the army was drawn out in three lines in older of battle, a contention arose who should lead the first line against the enemy. While no one would yield to the other, the English, with their banners unfurled, advanced rapidly towards them. Comyn and his men retreated without attempting to fight. Sir John Stewart and his vassals fought bravely, and died honourably. Unable to rescue Stewart or to withstand the enemy, and the Earl of Garrick having nearly surrounded him, Wallace retreated, and passed the small river Carron, which the enemy durst not pass in his presence. By this dexterous manœuvre, he not only saved his own men, but also those of Stewart who fled to him, and by keeping himself in the rear, with his eye fixed on those who pursued, he cut several of them off, particularly one Frere Brian Jay, a Knight Templar, upon whom he turned, and slew in sight of the victorious army. This intrepid and bold action taught others to keep at a respectable distance. During the pursuit, while Wallace and Bruce stood on different sides of the water of Carron, Bruce addressed him, saying, “I am greatly surprised, Sir William, that you should ever entertain the idea of attaining the Scottish Crown.” “No,” interrupted Wallace, “my thoughts never soared so high: I only mean to deliver my country from oppression and slavery, and support a cause which you have abandoned. But pause in time; if you have but the heart, you may win a crown with glory, and wear it with justice. I can do neither; but this I will do, I will live and die a free-born subject.” This speech made a deep impression upon the mind of Bruce. The conference was