Scotland/Scots > Life of Sir William Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie, and Guardian of Scotland

SIR WILLIAM WALLACE.
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escort, and revenge the injury they had sustain¬
ed. Sir Raynauld, seeing the determined dis¬
position of our hero, resolved to remain all night
at Mearns, and, if possible, avert from himself
and his friends the consequences that were likely
to result from such a proceeding.
The convoy that protected the baggage of
Percy consisted of five of his personal retainers,
and had reached the vicinity of the little village
of Cathcart, when they heard the noise of our
hero’s steed behind them, accompanied by two
yeomen, whom they soon recognised, and readily
guessed the object of their pursuit; but as there
appeared but three to five, they determined not
to relinquish their unlawful acquisition.
The contest, however, was soon decided ; and
the English, from theloopholes of the neighbour¬
ing castle of Cathcart, saw their countrymen
slaughtered, and the baggage under their pro¬
tection rifled or carried off without venturing to
quit their stronghold. Money and other valua¬
bles, to a considerable amount, fell into the hands
of the victors, who lost no time in making their
way towards Glasgow, in order to cross the
Clyde at that place, and thus effect their retreat
into the Lennox before Percy could be apprised
of his loss.
Having effected their object, they sheltered