Page:History of the Scottish patriot, Sir Wm. Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie.pdf/6

6 emancipating Scotland. “Before his death,” said he “he will slay thousands of the English, and thrice deliver Scotland from their thraldom.” Wallace soon recovered his wonted strength, and, longing to appear among his friends and to avenge his country’s wrongs, he seized a sword which was standing in his nurse’s house, and proceeded to Riccarton, whither his friends and relatives hastened to congratulate him on his miraculous escape, rally round his standard, and bid defiance to the English arms Wallace, with a brave little band, went to shelter in a wood near Louden-hill, until an opportunity should present itself of attacking the enemy. A friend, having observed them enter the wood, carried provisions to them, and informed Wallace that an English squire’s servant had rode past to Ayr, and that his master, with a party escorting some baggage from Carlisle to Ayr, would soon pass that way. Learning that they were ascending the hill, he hastened to lay his men in ambush, and to prepare for their reception. Wallace, perceiving that Fenwick, who had slain his father and brother, was the person commanding this party, resolved to be avenged or fall in the combat. The English having to pass a narrow path, they waited their arrival at that place, and having engaged, a desperate conflict ensued. Of the English there were 180, but Wallace had only 50 men; the former well armed on horseback, the latter on foot. Wallace’s soul fired with indignation at the sight of Fenwick, and, rushing upon him, cut his body in sunder. About 100 of the English lay dead on the field, the rest making their escape when they beheld the fate of their leader. Wallace seized the horses, baggage, armour, and money, which proved a very acceptable present.

He now took his route towards the shire of Argyle and the northern border of Lennox. Wandering about in the woods with a few who resorted to his standard, he came near to Gargunnock, where there was a pass which was strongly garrisoned by the