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

82
LIFE OF
she disclosed the danger that awaited him, just
in time to effect his escape. His foes, enraged
at their disappointment, again set off in pursuit
of him, taking along with them a slough hound
to assist them in discovering his retreats, A
sanguinary battle was again fought, in which
Wallace lost nine of his remaining followers,
and the English leader about one hundred.
In the retreat of the Scots, Wallace is said to
have slain one of his followers, named Fawdon,
an Irishman, whom he suspected of treason.
Of this man. Blind Harry gives the following
unprepossessing description:—
“ To Wallace there came ane that hecht Fawdoun,
Melancholy he was of complexion.
Heavy of stature, dour in his countenance.
Sorrowful sadde, ay dreadful but plesance.”
The circumstances of his death are thus narrated
by the same author, who justifies the deed on
the plea of necessity:—
“ To the neist wood twa myil thai had to gang,
Off upwith erde thai yeid with all thair mycht;
Gud hope thai had, for it was ner the nyeht.
Fawdon tyryt, and said he mycht nocht gang.
Wallace was wa to layff him in that thrang:
He bade him ga, and said the strength was ner;
But he therefore wald nocht fastir him ster.
Wallace in ire on the crag can him ta
With his gud suerd, and strak the heid him fra—
Dreidless to'ground derfly he duschit dede.
Fra him he lap, and left him in that stede.