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

84
LIFE OF
wise be urged in support of the justice of the
suspicions against him, his countryman, Ste¬
phen, who introduced him to the little band of
patriots, remained the firm and confidential
friend of Wallace through all his difficulties ;
this he certainly would not have done, had
Wallace on slight grounds inflicted death on one
who was not only his friend and countryman,
but also in a manner under his protection. But
so far was Stephen from feeling dissatisfaction
at the conduct of Wallace, that he and Karle
lingered behind, and favoured by the shades of
night which had now set in, mingled with the
enemy, and while their general. Sir Gerald
Heron, was in the act of stooping to examine
the body of Fawdon, whose blood had arrested
the progress of the slough hound, Karle watch¬
ed the opportunity, and gave him a mortal stab
with his dagger in the throat; the cry of treason
arose among the English, while in the confusion
the two confederates slipped down unobserved
among the underwood that surrounded them,
and made the best of their way towards Loch
Earne, the well wooded banks of which afforded
them every chance of security. In the mean
time, Wallace and thirteen of his followers, all
that were now left him, made good their retreat
to the deserted castle of Gask, situated in the