It is a pity that such a sight should bode evil to Scotland." "Yes," Wallace said; "I would that the camp lay where it is, but that the pennons and banners were those of Scotland's nobles, and that the royal lions floated over Surrey's tent.

Truly that were a sight which would glad a Scot's heart.

When shall we see ought like it?
However, Archie," he went on in a lighter tone, "methinks that that will be a rare camp to plunder." Archie laughed.

"One must kill the lion before one talks of dividing his skin," he said; "and truly it seems well nigh impossible that such a following as yours, true Scots and brave men though they be, yet altogether undisciplined and new to war, should be able to bear the brunt of such a battle." "You are thinking of Dunbar," Wallace said; "and did we fight in such a field our chances would be poor; but with that broad river in front and but a narrow bridge for access, methinks that we can render an account of them." "God grant it be so!" Archie replied; "but I shall be right glad when the day is over." Three days before the battle the Steward of Scotland, the Earl of Lennox, and others of the Scotch magnates entered Surrey's camp and begged that he would not attack until they tried to induce the people to lay down their arms.

They returned, however, on the third day saying that they would not listen to them, but that the next day they would, themselves, join his army with their men-at-arms.
On leaving the camp that evening the Scotch nobles, riding homeward, had a broil with some English soldiers, of whom one was wounded by the Earl of Lennox.