Page:Life of the celebrated Scottish patriot Sir Wm. Wallace.pdf/8

8 for better employment, and to see the eountrycountry [sic]." "I mean no harm," said the provost, "in asking these questions; but so many reports have been circulated about one William WallaeeWallace [sic], born in the west, who was killing every Englishman he could find, and seeing you, a tall strong man, it is neeessarynecessary [sic] to know something about those we admit into the town." Denying that he knew anything of Wallace, he and his men were admitted, and an inn and plenty of provisions provided until employment was found for them.

WallaeeWallace [sic] often invited the English to drink with him, in order to ascertain their number and strength; and to obtain other intelligeneeintelligence [sic] he could gather. He lamented that he could devise no means to take the town, which was in possession of the English, as his men were too few in number and to set it on fire was only placing himself and followers in imminent danger. But ere long, an opportunity was afforded him for this daring enterprise. There was then one Sir James Butler in the town, a cruel knight, who kept the strong castle of Kinklevin, residing with his son, Sir John, an under-eaptainunder-captain [sic] of Gerald Heron; and a report was spread that Sir James, with his party, were returning to Kinklevin Castle. Wallace, with his followers, hastened to Methven-wood, blew his horn, and his intrepid band were quickly by his side. Being well armed, they marched to Kinklevin, and lay in ambush in a valley on the banks of the Tay, meanwhile dispatching spics in different directions, some of whom soon returned, informing them that four men had passed, who appeared to be forerunners of the company. Wallace at length beheld 90 well-armed men on horseback, and prepared to attack them. The English perceived Wallace's intention, and, brandishing their spears, rushed upon them, but they were boldly repulsed, and several, both men and