Covered with blushes, arising from anxious emotion, as well as from a
happy consciousness of having wont he praises of his general, Edwin
rose from his breast, and bowing to Sir John, still leaned his head
upon the shoulder of Wallace. That amiable being, who, when seeking to
wipe the tear of affliction from the cheek of others, minded not the
drops of blood which were distilling in secret from his own heart,
began the recital of his first acquaintance with his young Sir Edwin.
He enumerated every particular; his bringing the detachment from
Bothwell, through the enemy-encircled mountains, to Glenfinlass; his
scaling the walls of Dumbarton to make the way smooth for the Scots to
ascend; and his after prowess in that well-defended fortress. As
Wallace proceeded, the wonder of Graham was raised to a pitch, only to
be equaled by his admiration; and taking the hand of Edwin, "Receive
me, brave youth," said he, "as your second brother; Sir William Wallace
is your first; but, this night, we shall fight side by side for our
fathers; and let that be our bond of kindred."

Edwin pressed the young chief's cheek with his innocent lips; "Let us,
together, free them;" cried he' "and then we shall be born twins in
happiness."

"So be it," cried Graham; "and Sir William Wallace be the sponser of
that hour!"

Wallace smiled on them; and turning his head toward the shore, when the
vessel doubled a certain point, he saw the beach covered with armed
men. To be sure they were his own, he drew his sword, and waved it in
the air. At that moment a hundred falchions flashed in the sunbeams,
and the shouts of "Wallace!" came loudly on the breeze.