"A faithful Scot," was the reply.

Wallace recognized the voice of Edwin.

"What has disturbed you? Why do you not take rest with the others?"

"That we may have it the surer to-morrow!" replied the youth. "I am
just returned from the summit of yonder rock."

"How!" interrupted Wallace; "have you scaled it alone, and are returned
in safety?"

Wallace caught him in his arms. "Intrepid, glorious boy! tell me for
what purpose did you thus hazard your precious life?"

"I wished to learn its most pregnable part," replied Edwin, his young
heart beating with triumph at these encomiums from his commander; "and
particularly where the good earl is confined, that we might make our
attack directly to the point."

"And have you been successful?" demanded Wallace.

"I have," was his answer. "Lord Mar and his lady are kept in a square
tower which stands in the cleft between the two summits of the rock.
It is not only surrounded by embattled walls, which flank the ponderous
buttresses of this huge dungeon, but the space on which it stands is
bulwarked at each end by a stone curtain of fifteen feet high, guarded
by turrets full of armed men.

"And yet by that side you suppose we must ascend?" said Wallace.