Wallace grasped his hand. "And I pledge you mine, that the head whence it drew shall be laid low before I suffer so generous a defender to be separated, dead or alive, from this standard." His eyes glanced at the empress; "Thou art right," continued he; "God doth goest with the confidence of success, to embrace victory as a bride!"
"No, I am only the bridegroom's man!" replied Murray, gayly moving off; "I shall be content with a kiss or two from the handmaids, and leave the lady for my general."
"Happy, happy youth!" said Wallace to himself, as his eyes pursued the agile footsteps of the young chieftain; "no conquering affection has yet thrown open thy heart; no deadly injury hath lacerated it with wounds incurable. Patriotism is a virgin passion in thy breast, and innocence and joy wait upon her!"
"We just muster five hundred men!" observed Ker to Wallace; "but they are all stout in heart as in condition, and ready, even to-night, if you will it, to commence their march."
"No," replied Wallace; "we must not overstrain the generous spirit. Let them rest to-night, and to-morrow's dawn shall light us through the forest."
Ker, who acted as henchman to Wallace, now returned to the ranks to give the word, and they marched forward.
Sir Alexander Scrymgeour, with his golden standard charged with the lion of Scotland, led the van. Wallace raised his bonnet from his head, as it drew near. Scrymgeour lowered the staff; Wallace threw up his outstretched hand at this action, but the knight not understanding him, he stepped forward. "Sir Alexander Scrymgeour," cried he, "that standard must now bow to me. It represents the royalty of Scotland, before which we fight for our liberties. If virtue yet dwell in the house of the valiant St. David, some of his offspring will hear of this day, and lead it forward to conquest and to a crown. Till such an hour, let not that standard bend to any man."
Wallace fell back as he spoke, and Scrymgeour, bowing his head in sign of acquiescence marched on.
Sir Roger Kirkpatrick, at the head of his well-appointed Highlanders next advanced. His blood-red banner streamed to the air, and as it bent to Wallace he saw that the indignant knight had adopted the device of the hardy King Archaius,** but with a fiercer motto-"Touch, and I pierce!"
**Archaius, King of Scotland, took for his device the thistle and the
Rewe, and for his motto, "For my defense."