nor of Scotland. Wallace
encamped on the northern side of the river, leaving Stirling bridge
apparently open to the English, but resolving, as it was long and
narrow, to attack them while in the act of crossing. The Earl of
Surrey led fifty thousand infantry and a thousand men-at-arms. Part of
his soldiers, however, were the Scottish barons who had formerly
joined Wallace's standard, and who, notwithstanding their return to
that of Surrey, were scarcely to be trusted.

The English treasurer, Cressingham, murmured at the expense attending
the war, and, to bring it to a crisis, proposed to commence an attack
the next morning by crossing the river. Surrey, an experienced
warrior, hesitated to engage his troops in the defile of a wooden
bridge, where scarce two horsemen could ride abreast; but, urged by
the imprudent vehemence of Cressingham, he advanced, contrary to
common-sense as well as to his own judgment. The vanguard of the
English was attacked before they could get into order; the bridge was
broken down, and thousands perished in the river and by the sword.
Cressingham was slain, and Surrey fled to Berwick to recount to Edward
that Scotland was lost at Stirling in as short a time as it had been
won at Dunbar. In a brief period after this victory, almost all the
fortresses of the kingdom surrendered to Wallace.

Increasing his forces, Wallace, that he might gratify them with
plunder, led them across the English border, and sweeping it
lengthwise from Newcastle to the gates of Carlisle, left nothing
behind him but blood and ashes. The nature of Wallace was fierce, but
not inaccessible to pity or remorse. As his unruly soldiers pillaged
the church of Hexham, he took the canons under his immediate
protection. "Abide with me," he said, "holy men, for my people are
evil-doers, and I may not correct them." When he returned from this
successful foray, an assembly of the states was held at the Forest
Church in Selkirkshire, where Wallace was chosen guardian of the
kingdom of Scotland. The meeting was attended by Lennox, Sir William
Douglas, and some few men of rank: others were absent from fear of
King Edward, or from jealousy of an inferior person, like Wallace,
raised to so high a station.

Conscious of the interest which he had deservedly maintained in the
breast of the universal people of Scotland, Wallace pursued his
judicious plans of enforcing general levies through the kingdom and
bringing them under discipline.