Page:History of the Scottish patriot, Sir Wm. Wallace.pdf/7

 7 English. During the darkness of the night, he sent two of his men to examine the strength and situation of the pass; and, receiving a favourable account of the possibility of attacking it with success, he hastened towards it, took the place, put the men to the sword, but set at liberty all the women and children. He, with his patriotic band, went into the wood of Methven, near Perth, then called St Johnstoun. Among the valiant and faithful few who had marshalled under his banner of freedom, was one Stephen, an Irishman, of uncommon strength and courage, to whom Wallace gave the command of the rest, while he and a few of his men paid a visit to the town of Perth. Informing Stephen that they had provisions for several days, he told him to lurk secretly in the wood until he returned, or to be prepared for action when he should hear the sound of his horn. Matters being thus adjusted, they proceeded to Perth. Before they could gain admittance, the provost was sent for, who, seeing Wallace a tall, strong man, asked if they were all Scotsmen, and from what part of the country they came. “My name is William Malcolm,” said Wallace: “we have come from Ettrick forest, in the south, to seek for better employment, and to see the country.” “I mean no harm,” said the provost, “in asking these questions; but so many reports have been circulated about one William Wallace, born in the west, who was killing every Englishman he could find, and seeing you a tall, strong man, it is necessary to know something about those we admit into the town.” Denying that he knew anything of Wallace, and beseeching him not to mention such a hated name, he and his men were admitted, and an inn and plenty of provisions provided until employment was found for them.

Wallace often invited the English to drink with him, in order to ascertain their number and strength in the place, and to obtain what other intelligence he could gather. He lamented that he could devise