s
Scottish men and freemen, as soldiers, husbands, and fathers, as
children of the brave, who welcomed death with joy, rather than life in
slavery and degradation; and when his words elicited a shout of
exultation and applause from the greater number, he turned his eye on
the group of malcontents, and sternly and terribly bade them beware of a
fate similar to that which they had just witnessed; for the gallant Earl
of Hereford, he said, would deal with all Scottish traitors as with Evan
Roy, and once known as traitors within the castle walls, he need not
speak their doom, for they had witnessed it; and then changing his tone,
frankly and beseechingly he conjured them to awake from the dull,
sluggish sleep of indifference and fear, to put forth their energies as
men, as warriors; their country, their king, their families, called on
them, and would they not hear? He bade them arise, awake to their duty,
and all that had been should never be recalled. He spoke with a brief
yet mighty eloquence that seemed to carry conviction with it. Many a
stern face and darkened brow relaxed, and there was hope in many a
patriot breast as that group dispersed, and all was once more martial
bustle on the walls.

"Well and wisely hast thou spoken, my son," said the aged Abbot of
Scone, who had attended the criminal's last moments, and now, with
Nigel, sought the keep. "Thy words have moved those rebellious spirits,
have calmed the rising tempest even as oil flung on the troubled waves;
thine eloquence was even as an angel voice 'mid muttering fiends. Yet
thou art still sad, still anxious. My son, this should not be."

"It _must_ be, father," answered the young man. "I have looked beyond
that oily surface and see naught save darker storms and fiercer
tempests; those spirits need somewhat more than a mere voice. Father,
reproach me not as mistrusting the gracious heaven in whose keeping lie
our earthly fates. I know the battle is not to the strong, 'tis with the
united, the faithful, and those men are neither. My words have stirred
them for the moment, as a pebble flung 'mid the troubled waters--a few
brief instants and all trace is passed, we see naught but the blackened
wave. But speak not of these things; my trust is higher than earth, and
let man work his will."

Another week passed, and the fierce struggle continued, alternating
success, one day with the besiegers, the next with the besieged. The
scene of action was now principally o