Part 26 (1/2)
”May heaven long preserve the valiant Wallace!” was the prayer of every feeble voice, as he left the hall to visit his own wounded, in an upper chamber. The interview was short and satisfactory. ”Ah! sir,” cried one of them, ”I cannot tell how it is, but when I see you, I feel as if I beheld the very soul of my country, or its guardian angel, standing before me--a something I cannot describe, but it fills me with courage and comfort!”
”You see an honest Scot standing before you, my good Duncan,” replied Wallace; ”and that is no mean personage; for it is one who knows no use of his life but as it fulfills his duty to his country!”
”Oh that the sound of that voice could penetrate to every ear in Scotland!” rejoined the soldier; ”it would be more than the call of the trumpet to bring them to the field!”
”And from the summit of this rock many have already heard it; and more shall be so aroused!” cried Murray, returning from the door, to which one of his men had beckoned him; ”here is a man come to announce that Malcolm, Earl of Lennox, pa.s.sing by the foot of this rock, saw the Scottish standard flying from its citadel; and, as overjoyed as amazed at the sight, he sends to request the confidence of being admitted.”
”Let me bring him hither!” interrupted Kirkpatrick; ”he is brave as the day, and will be a n.o.ble auxiliary.”
”Every true Scot must be welcome to these walls,” returned Wallace.
Kirkpatrick hastened from the tower to the northern side of the rock, at the foot of which stood the earl and his train. With all the pride of a freeman and a victor, Sir Roger descended the height. Lennox advanced to meet him. ”What is it I see? Sir Roger Kirkpatrick master of this citadel, and our king's colors flying from its towers? Where is the Earl de Valence? Where the English garrison?”
”The English garrison,” replied Kirkpatrick, ”are now twelve hundred men beneath the waters of the Clyde. De Valence is fled; and this fortress, manned with a few hardy Scots, shall sink into yon waves ere it again bear the English dragon on its walls.”
”And you, n.o.ble knight,” cried Lennox, ”have achieved all this? You are the dawn to a blessed day for Scotland!”
”No,” replied Kirkpatrick; ”I am but a follower of the man who has struck the blow. Sir William Wallace of Ellerslie is our chief; and with the power of his virtues he subdues not only friends, but enemies, to his command.”
He then exultingly narrated the happy events of the last four and twenty hours. The earl listened with wonder and joy. ”What!” cried he, ”so n.o.ble a plan for Scotland, and I ignorant of it?-I, that have not waked day or night, for many a month, without thinking or dreaming of some enterprise to free my country--and behold it is achieved in a moment! I see the stroke, as a bolt from Heaven; and I pray Heaven it may light the sacrifice throughout the nation! Lead me, worthy knight, lead me to your chief, for he shall be mine too: he shall command Malcolm Lennox and all his clan.”
Kirkpatrick gladly turned to obey him; and they mounted the ascent together. Within the barbican gate stood Wallace, with Scrymgeour and Murray. The earl knew Scrymgeour well, having often seen him in the field as hereditary standard-bearer of the kingdom; of the persons of the others he was ignorant.
”There is Wallace!” exclaimed Kirkpatrick.
”Not one of those very young men?” interrogated the earl.
”Even so,” was the answer of the knight; ”but his is the youth of the brave son of Ammon; gray beards are glad to bow before his golden locks, for beneath them is wisdom.”
As he spoke they entered the barbican; and Wallace (whom the penetrating eye of Lennox had already singled out for the chief) advanced to meet his guest.
”Earl,” said he, ”you are welcome to Dumbarton Castle.”
”Bravest of my countrymen!” returned Lennox, clasping him in his arms, ”receive a soldier's embrace, receive the grat.i.tude of a loyal heart!
accept my service, my arms, my men: my all I devote to Scotland and the great cause.”
Wallace for a moment did not answer; but warmly straining the earl to his breast, said, as he released him, ”Such support will give sinews to our power. A few months, and with the blessing of that arm which has already mowed down the ranks which opposed us, we shall see Scotland at liberty.”
”And may Heaven, brave Wallace!” exclaimed Lennox, ”grant us thine arm to wield its scythe! But how have you accomplished this? How have your few overthrown this English host?”
”He strikes home, when right points his sword,” replied Wallace; ”the injuries of Scotland were my guide, and justice my companion. We feared nothing, for G.o.d was with us; we feared nothing, and in his might we conquered.”
”And shall yet conquer!” cried Lennox, kindling with the enthusiasm that blazed from the eyes of Wallace. ”I feel the strength of our cause; and from this hour, I devote myself to a.s.sert it, or to die.”
”Not to die! my n.o.ble lord,” said Murray; ”we have yet many an eve to dance over the buried fetters of Scotland. And as a beginning of our jollities, I must remind our leader that my aunt's board awaits him.”
Lord Lennox understood from this address it was the brave Murray who spoke to him; for he had heard sufficient from Sir Roger Kirkpatrick to explain how the Countess of Mar and her patriot husband came within those walls.
The countess, having arrayed herself with all her powers to receive her deliverer, awaited the hour of his arrival with an emotion at her heart, which made it bound against her bosom, when she saw the object of her splendid toil advancing along the courtyard. All others were lost to her impatient eyes; and hastily rising from the window as the chiefs entered the porch, she crossed the room to meet them at the door.