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

72 THE LIFE OF
Bisnop Beck and Lord Piercy, let us wing our course
towards that town and surprise our enemies who have
murdered our kindred."' He left the Burgesses to
watch the house of Ayre with vigilance, and having
refreshed themselves he ordered their march to Glasgow on the choicest of English horses, now all cavalry,
three hundred strong, to attack their ruthless enemies.
They passed the Bridge of Glasgow, before their ene.
mies knew of their coming; but Lord Piercy mustered his men in good order and prepared for a fierce
contest with the Scots' warrior, Bishop Beck and
Piercy led a thousand men in bright armour to the
approaching combat. Wallace advanced in head ol
his men and reconnoitred his enemies, and returned
with the grand plan of the attack in his mind. He
divided his men into two squadrons, harnessed themr
and called true Auchinleck, saying, " Uncle, before
we attack these adversaries, I ask you whether you
will attack them in the rear or tail, or gallop up in
front, kneel down and receive the Prelate's benison."
6 I will not be ambitious, quoth Auchinleck, yoursell
may take his blessing for me. That is the post of
honour, and your right, I shall bear up his tail with
all my might." "Since we must part, it will be
wrong to stay too long from us, said Wallace, you?
men must not regard their numbers. March on your
squadron fast, for God's sake, elude the view of the
Southerons in marching round to the rear through the
north-east raw." Adam Wallace, and Auchinleck
marched briskly with seven score of men up the
back part of the town, and Wallace and Boyd with
two hundred and sixty men galloped up in sight of
the enemy, along the plain street.