Yes, Murray; there is not a stone in this building that does not call aloud to us to draw the sword, and hold it unsheathed till our country be free." "And by the ghost of that same Fergus, I swear," exclaimed Murray, "that my honest claymore shall never shroud its head while an invader be left alive in Scotland." Kirkpatrick caught him in his arms.

"Brave son of the noble Bothwell, thou art after mine own heart! The blow which the dastard Cressingham durst aim at a Scottish chief, still smarts upon my cheek; and rivers of his countrymen's blood shall wash out the stain.

After I had been persuaded by his serpent eloquence to swear fealty to Edward on the defeat at Dunbar, I vainly thought that Scotland had only changed a weak and unfortunate prince for a wise and victorious king; but when in the courts of Stirling, I heard Cressingham propose to the barons north of the dike, that they should give their strongest castles into English hands; when I opposed the measure with all the indignation of a Scot who saw himself betrayed, he first tried to overturn my arguments, and finding that impossible, while I repeated them with redoubled force--he struck me!-Powers of earth and heaven, what was then the tempest of my soul!-I drew my sword--I would have laid him dead at my feet, had not my obsequious countrymen held my arm, and dragged me from the apartment.
"Covered with dishonor by a blow I could not avenge.

I fled to my brother-in-law, Sir John Scott, of Loch Doine.

With him I buried my injury from the world; but it lived in my heart--it haunted me day and night, calling for revenge.
"In such an hour, how did I receive the tidings, that Sir William Wallace was in arms against the tyrant! It was the voice of retribution, calling me to peace of mind! Even my bedridden kinsman partook my emotions; and with his zealous concurrence, I led a band of his hardiest clansmen, to reinforce the brave men of Lanark on this rock.
"Two days I have now been here, awaiting in anxious impatience the arrival of Wallace.