welcomed Maxwell with a cordiality which inspired that young knight
with an affection equal to his zeal.

A council being held respecting the disposal of the new troops, it was
decided that the Lennox men must remain with their earl in garrison;
while those brought by Maxwell, and under his command, should follow
Wallace in the prosecution of his conquests along with his own especial
people.

These preliminaries being arranged, the remainder of the day was
dedicated to more mature deliberations-to the unfolding of the plan of
warfare which Wallace had conceived. As he first sketched the general
outline of his design, and then proceeded to the particulars of each
military movement, he displayed such comprehensiveness of mind; such
depths of penetration; clearness of apprehension; facility in
expedients; promptitude in perceiving, and fixing on the most favorable
points of attack; explaining their bearings upon the power of the
enemy; and where the possession of such a castle would compel the
neighboring ones to surrender; and where occupying the hills with bands
of resolute Scots, would be a more efficient bulwark than a thousand
towers-that Maxwell gazed on him with admiration, and Lennox with
wonder.

Mar had seen the power of his arms; Murray had already drunk the
experience of a veteran from his genius; hence they were not surprised
on hearing that which filled strangers with amazement.

Lennox gazed on his leader's youthful countenance, doubting whether he
really were listening to military plans, great as general ever formed;
or were visited, in vision, by some heroic shade, who offered to his