9
find and will immediately evince, that our country is still free.” This answer irritated the English generals, several of whom despising Wallace and his followers, presumptuously exclaimed, “They are all our own, let us instantly charge them.” The bridge formerly mentioned, over which it behoved the army to pass, was both narrow and weak, and the Scottish carpenter, who shortly before had been employed to repair it, had by Wallace’s desire, cut the main beams of it half through, and thereby rendered it incapable of supporting a great weight. Urged by the impetuosity of Cressingham, Surrey gave orders to the army to march along the bridge; and Sir Marmaduke Twenge, a gentlemen distinguished for valour and resolution, led the van, and boldly advanced at the foot of the hill, on which the Scots had drawn up their army in order of battle. Here Wallace remained till he saw as many of the English had got over as he thought he could safely encounter, but so far from making a formidable opposition, he gradually retreated as Sir Marmaduke advanced. The English commander pursued with vigour; but soon discovered that there was not a standard of his countrymen in his rear. While some of the Scots seemed to flee before him, the
