Page:Life of Sir William Wallace.pdf/12

 quell a rebellion he had neglected to prevent, and hastily dispatched a body of troops, under the command of Sir Robert Clifford, and Sir Henry Piercy, to stop the progress of the insurrection in the western provinces. They came up with the Scottish army, advantageously posted near Irvine, far superior to them in numbers, but badly armed and undisciplined, and still more enfeebled from dissention. All the leaders were independent, and all untractable. They could agree upon no measure for the benefit of the common cause; and Sir Richard de Lundin, who had hitherto made no submission to Edward, openly went over to the English with his followers, justifying himself by saying, "I will remain no longer with a party that is at variance with itself." His example was soon after followed by Bruce, the Stewart, Lindsay, and Douglas, submitting to the authority of Edward's officers.

Our hero, who had taken no part in these negotiations, scornfully refused all compromise, and, collecting the faithful companions of his fortunes, escaped to the north, where he was soon joined by new followers; for even the vassals of those barons that so lately had made their peace, looked to his banners, in contempt of the allegiance they owed their masters. The bishop of Glasgow, and Sir William Douglas, unable to fulfil the engagements they had contracted, and being unsafe among their countrymen, delivered themselves up to the English. Wallace, ascribing this conduct of Wischeart's to treacherous cowardice, in the warmth of resentment pillaged his effects and made his family prisoners. After ravaging he country, Wallace laid siege to Dundee, at that time a place of considerable importance. The English commanders prepared