"What ?" cried Murray, full of glad amazement; "is it possible that my cousin's faithful band has reached its destination?
None other belonging to Bothwell Castle had any chance of escaping its jailer's hands." Kirkpatrick interrupted Stephen's reply by saying that while their guests were at the board he would watch the arrival of certain expresses from two brave Drummonds, each of whom was to send him a hundred men: "So, my good Lord Andrew," cried he, striking him on the shoulder, "shall the snow-launch gather that is to fall on Edward to his destruction." Murray heartily shared his zeal, and bidding him a short adieu, followed Stephen and Ker into the hall.

A haunch of venison of Glenfinlass smoked on the board, and goblets of wine from the bounteous cellars of Sir John Scott brightened the hopes which glowed in every heart.
While the young chieftains were recruiting their exhausted strength, Stephen sat at the table to satisfy the anxiety of Murray to know how the detachment from Bothwell had come to Craignacoheilg, and by what fortunate occurrence, or signal act of bravery, Wallace could have escaped with his whole train from the foe surrounding Cartlane Craigs.
"Heaven smiled on us!" replied Stephen.

"The very evening of the day on which Ker left us there was a carousal in the English camp.

We heard the sound of the song and of riot, and of many an insult cast upon our besieged selves.

But about an hour after sunset the noise sunk by degrees--a no insufficient hint that the revelers, overcome by excess, had fallen asleep.