The life of Sir William Wallace, the governor general of Scotland, and hero of the Scottish chiefs. By Peter Donaldson.

40 TIHE LIFE OF
Wallace could not venture to set it in flames, on ac
count of the difficulty of escape; but then he disco.
vered, that Sir James Butler, an aged knight, who
kept the castle of Kincleven, resided in town, with Sir
John, his son, an under captain to Sir Gerard Heron, then commander of the garrison; and was about
to return to that strong hold, with a guard of 90 well
armed horsemen, chosen men of valour. Wallace on
hearing this repcrt of Sir James's return to Kincleven
castle, hastened off to Mithvinwood, blew his martial
horn and all his intrepid warriors quickly assembled
round him, all blooming in good health, and ready
for action, at the command of their leader.
He then marched his well armed little band from
the woods in a valley along the banks of the sweet
winding Tay, and, at a short distance from Kincleven
lay in ambush among the bushes, and sent spies in
different directions, to reconnoiter their approach.Some of them soon returned and brought the information, that four men on horse back had just passed,
who appeared as the forerunners of the main body.
The prudent Wallace commanded his men to remain
still concealed, while he himself went to obtain more
certain intelligence. At length he saw them coming
in a dense column, four score and ten gallant soldiers,
headed by Sir James Butler, and thanked Heaven,that
they were not stronger, and prepared to attack them.
The English could not conceive what they were, and
were greatly surprised at such an appearance, and
could not conjecture their intention, till they approached near, when they perceived the hostile design of Wallace and his warriors. The English
brandished their dreadful spears, and rushed upon the