Page:History of the Scottish patriot, Sir Wm. Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie.pdf/20

20 King, and soon returned to his native land. Having landed at Montrose with his brave companions, accompanied by Longueville, who would never depart from him, they were joined by Sir John Ramsay, Ruthven, Bisset, and others, all of whom determined under his banner to deliver their country or fall in the vigorous attempt. While lying in ambush in the vicinity of Perth, it fortunately happened that six English servants came forth from the town with empty carts to convey hay into the town. Instantly slaying the servants, six of them were arrayed in their upper garments, the carts were loaded, and as many as possible lodged themselves among the hay, and the rest were placed in ambush. As soon as they entered the town, Wallace slew the porter, and secured an entrance for his men, who spread destruction among the English, and so terrified the remainder, that the governor, Sir John Stewart, fled by the opposite gate to the wood of Methven. One hundred took refuge in the church, but were slain. By this successful adventure, Wallace acquired much booty and a military station of vast importance to future conquests. They now proceeded towards Fife, and reduced the several towns and castles in that populous country. A party of the English, however, took shelter in Lochleven Castle, and Wallace, determining to dislodge them, selected eighteen of his bravest men, and marched towards it during the darkness of the night. He stripped, tied his sword about his neck, and swam over to the isle, cut the rope of their boat, brought it over, and conveyed his men in safety to the castle, which he took, and spared none but the women and children. Returning to Perth he was informed that his uncle was imprisoned by one Thomas Weir, a cruel English captain, who commanded 100 men at Perth. Wallace sent a trusty messenger to explore the Tay to discover some mode of crossing, and fortunately met with a fisherman, who readily embarked on the cause when he knew he belonged