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

20 King, and soon returned to his native land. Having landed at Montrose with his brave companions aecompanied by Longueville, who would never depart from him, they were joined by Sir John Ramsay, Ruthven, Bisset, and others, all of whom determine under his banner to deliver their country or fall in the vigorous attempt. While lying in ambush in the vieinity 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 ambushi. 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 aequired mueh booty and a military station of vast importantane to future conquests. They now proceeded toward Fife, and redueed the several towns and castles in that populous country. A party of the English however, took shelter in Lochleven Castle, and Wallaec, determining to dislodge them, seleeted eighteen of his bravest men, and marehed toward it during the darkness of the night. He stripped, tied his sword about his neek, and swam over to the isle, cut the rope of their boat, brought it over and conveyed his men in safety to the castle, whieh he took, and spared none but the women and children. Returning to Perth he was informed that his unele 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 in the cause when he knew he belonged