Presently a terrible rumour began to spread among them--whether the truth was known from some coarse jest by one of the soldiers, or how it came out, I know not.
But as time went on, and the hour was long past when any fresh arrivals could be expected, there was no longer motive for secrecy, and the truth was openly told.

Each man as he entered was stopped just inside the door.

A noose was dropped over his neck, and he was hauled up to a hook over the door.

All who entered are dead." A cry of indignation and rage broke from Wallace and those standing round him, and the Scottish leader again repeated his oath to take a bloody vengeance for the deed.
"And who are among the murdered ?" he asked, after a pause.
"Alas! Sir William," Grahame said, "your good uncle, Sir Ronald Crawford, the Sheriff of Ayr, is one; and also Sir Richard Wallace of Riccartoun; Sir Bryce Blair, and Sir Neil Montgomery, Boyd, Barclay, Steuart, Kennedy, and many others." Wallace was overwhelmed with grief at the news that both his uncles, to whom he was greatly attached, had perished.

Most of those around had also lost relatives and friends, and none could contain their grief and indignation.
"Was my uncle, Sir Robert Gordon, among the victims ?" Archie inquired.
"No," Sir John replied; "happily he was one of the last who came along the road." "Thank God for that!" Archie said earnestly; "my uncle's slowness has saved his life.