Against me I have all the power of England, Wales, and Ireland; and although I may for a time win victories and capture towns I am certain, Archie, in the end to be crushed." "And will all our efforts have been in vain ?" Archie said, with tears in his eyes.
"By no means, my brave lad; we shall have lighted the fire of a national resistance; we shall have shown the people that if Scotland, divided against herself, and with all her great nobles and their vassals standing sullenly aloof, can yet for a long time make head against the English, assuredly when the time shall come, and she shall rise as one man from the Solway to Caithness, her freedom will be won.

Our lives will not have been thrown away, Archie, if they have taught this lesson." Wallace had by this time returned from his expedition farther north, and his force was in camp near Lanark, which town, when not engaged in distant enterprises, was regarded as the centre of the movement.

That evening Archie said, that as his leader purposed to give his troops rest for a week or two, he should go to his uncle's for a short time.
"And if you can spare them, Sir William, I would fain let my band go away for the same time.

They have now been six months from home." "Certainly," Wallace said, "they need a rest after their hard work.
They are ever afoot, and have been of immense service." Having obtained this permission, Archie went to the spot where his band were encamped.

"I have another expedition for you," he said, "this time all together; when that is over you will be able to go home for a few days for a rest.