Page:Life of the celebrated Scottish patriot Sir Wm. Wallace.pdf/10

10 Wallace, with his men, returned and conveyed their concealed property from Short wood to Methven-wood, and then removed to Elcho-park, near Perth.

While they remained in this place, Wallace, disguised in a friar's gown, paid frequent visits to Perth, but some individuals, observing his warlike appearance, communicated their suspicions to the governor, Sir Gerald Heron. The house which he frequented was beset with the enemy; and being informed of their design, he quickly dressed himself in female apparel, went and informed the English that Wallace was in a certain room,―they flew to seize their supposed prey, while he effected his escape with all possible speed. Two soldiers, suspecting him as being rather a strong and fierce-like female, followed; but Wallace suddenly turned upon them, drew his sword, and levelled them with the ground. The English, provoked at this disappointment, marched 600 men by the South Inch road, and had not proceeded far till they beheld the slain bodies of their companions, which confirmed their suspicions of Wallace having taken this route. Surrounding the wood, they entered in search of Wallace, accompanied by a blood-hound to trace his steps. Hemmed in on every side, the hardy few resolved to conquer or die; and the noble chieftain unsheathing his sword, offered up a prayer, and led his warriors to the attack. Fifteen of the Scots were slain before they retreated to the banks of the Tay, where they sought a place to erosscross [sic], but many of them having been unable to swim, Wallace again determined to face the foe. His little band, which was only 40 at the commencement of the battle, was now reduced to 16, while the English had been strongly reinforced, so the Scots had to flee to a place of safety, and were out of sight before the enemy was able to pursue them. The