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, noble 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 noble 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.