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, passing 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 noble 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