Page:Life of Sir William Wallace.pdf/17

 fleet, baffled by contrary winds, not arriving, he was reluctantly compelled to order a retreat, While making preparations for this purpose intelligence was brought him that the Scots had advanced to Falkirk. This changed his resolution. Judging that such a measure, with an enemy hanging on his rear, well skilled in desultory warfare, would be attended with ruin and defeat, especially when under the command of a man of such enterprise and conduct as Wallace, he turned his march against them. The English passed the night under arms, on a heath near Linlithgow, where an accident occurred which had nigh proved fatal to the future hopes of Edward. As he slept on the ground, beside his war-horse, the animal suddenly struck his master with such violence as to break of his ribs. An alarm spread that he was killed but Edward, mounting his horse, regardless of bodily pain, shewed himself to his troops, and instantly led them to battle.

Wallace drew up his infantry in four circular bodies, and disposed the archers, who were commanded by Sir John Stewart, in the intervals. The horse, amounting only to a 1000, were in the rear, and a morass covered their front. Having made these dispositions he jocularly, observed, "Now, I have brought you to the ring, hop gif you can.” —That is, “ Dance if you have skill."

Edward's chief reliance was on his cavalry, which were in three divisions, one commanded by Bigot, Earl Marshall; the second by the bishop of Durham, having under him Sir Ralph Basset of Drayton; and the third by the king in person. No mention is made of the disposition of the infantry. The first division of the English horse, in their attack were stopped by the morass, behind which the Scots had posted themselves; but Beck, with