News being brought to Surrey, he resolved to wait no longer, but gave orders that the assault should take place on the following morning.

At daybreak of the 11th of September, 1297, one of the outposts woke Wallace with the news that the English were crossing the bridge.

The troops were at once got under arms, and were eager to rush down to commence the battle, but Wallace restrained them.

Five thousand Welsh foot soldiers crossed the bridge, then there was a pause, and none were seen following them.
"Were we to charge down now, Sir William," Archie said, "surely we might destroy that body before aid could come to them." "We could do, Archie, as you say," Wallace replied, "but such a success would be of little worth, nay, would harm rather than benefit us, for Surrey, learning that we are not altogether to be despised, as he now believes, would be more prudent in future and would keep his army in the flat country, where we could do nought against it.

No, to win much one must risk much, and we must wait until half Surrey's army is across before we venture down against them." Presently the Welsh were seen to retire again.