Page:History of the Scottish patriot, Sir Wm. Wallace.pdf/14

14 attacked the town in various parts. Wallace having broken open the gate, the Scots rushed in, and made dreadful havoc among the terror-strieken enemy. Sir John Graham, having the command of the second division, entered another part, and committed the dwellings of the English to the flames. Wallace bathed his sword in Hazelrigg's blood, while Graham dispatched Horn, the second in command. The conquerors, having reduced the town, encamped on a neighbouring plain.

Edward, alarmed at the success of the patriots, collected a numerous army, and repaired to Biggar, in order to give the battle. The Scottish army, greatly augmented, with confidence proceeded to meet the English. They were encamped on a wide extended plain, and Wallace took an advantageous position on a neighbouring height, whose men only appeared as a handful when compared with the English. Wallace addressed his trusty friends, and, painting the injuries of their ill-fated country in lively colours, exhorted them to seek redress upon the author of all their calamities, who now stood before them surrounded by his haughty troops. The battle commenced, and both armies fought with great bravery, but the result was the defeat of the English army, the shattered remains of which returred with Edward to England. Worn out with defeats, and driven from almost every strong post in the kingdom, the English sued for peace, which was concluded at Rutherglen Church in February 1297; but it was of short duration, the English being so strongly bent upon the conquest of Scotland.

In June 1297 took place that memorable event known by the Barns of Ayr. The English had invited the Scottish nobility and gentry in the western parts to meet them for the purpose of friendly conference upon the affairs of the nation, in some large buildings, called the Barns of Ayr. Many of the Scotch gentlemen in the neighbourhood attended, several of whom were accused of felony, condemned,