Page:History of the Scottish patriot, Sir Wm. Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie.pdf/9

Rh informed her son, Sir John Butler, of what had happened, who instantly commanded all the men of Perth and neighbourhood to arm; and, though they were 1000 strong, with trembling hearts they approached the wood, the fame of Wallace being so great. Sir John arranged his men in six divisions, and having encircled the wood with five of them to prevent escape, he, with 200 faithful followers, entered in search of Wallace. He had only 20 archers opposed to 140 of the English archers, supported by 60 spearmen. He girded on his buckler, seized his bow, which was so strong and large that no man but himself could bend it, and, discharging it, slew one of the English archers. The Scotch were sore galled by a terrible shower of arrows which the English discharged, one of which slightly wounded the immortal Wallace; but, perceiving the danger in which his men were placed, he changed their position, and, dashing through the opposing ranks, rushed with tiger fury in quest of the English leaders. The English ranks were thinned by the patriotic band, and Wallace, encountering Sir John, slew him and William Lorn, who had arrived during the contest with 300 men. The news that both commanders were slain, the remaining leaders assembled their troops at the south end of the wood, and held a conference to see what should he done in the present emergency, while Wallace and his men rushed out at the north side. Entering the wood, they found the bodies of Butler and Lorn, but their horses and gold were in possession of the victorious Scotch. The English, under Sir Gerald Heron, returned to Perth with the news of their dishonourable and sad defeat. The terror of Wallace now daunted the stoutest of the enemy. Five of the faithful few had fallen on that memorable day. Two days after, Wallace, with his men, returned and conveyed their concealed property from Shortwood to Methvenwood, and then removed to Elcho-park, pear Perth.

While they remained in this place, Wallace,