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

72
LIFE OF
their chief sink beneath the arm of his adver¬
sary. The disordered rabble fled in the greatest
terror towards Kincleven, from the battlement
of which, their discomfiture had been observed,
and those within, hastened to let down the
drawbridge, to receive and shelter their flying
countrymen. On came the confused mass of
friends and foes, the shouts of the victors, min¬
gling with the cries of the vanquished, and
thundering over the drawbridge, the pursued,
and their pursuers entered the castle together.
The few soldiers that were in the place, could
render them but little assistance in making head
against so many conquerors, and the itA/hole,
with the exception of two priests, and some
women and children, were indiscriminately put
to the sword.
Having cleared the place of the bodies of their
slaughtered enemies, and taken precautions
against a surprise during the time they might
remain, they proceeded to search the castle, in
which they found a rich booty in money and
jewels, besides a plentiful stock of provisions,
and other stores. A part of this valuable pil¬
lage, they conveyed every night to Shortwood
Forrest, where they prepared pits and other
places for its concealment, there to remain as a
resource against future emergencies.