CHAPTER VIII.
The Council at Stirling Archie had been mounted on the march from the camp, and his horse being now brought, he started with Bruce, young Nigel and the ladies saluting him cordially.
"I trust," the former said, "that Wallace will succeed in converting my brother.

I am envious of you, Sir Archie.

Here are you, many years younger than I am, and yet you have won a name throughout Scotland as one of her champions; while I am eating my heart out, with my brother, at the court of Edward." "I trust it may be so, Sir Nigel," Archie answered.

"If Sir Robert will but join our cause, heart and soul, the battle is as good as won." The journey passed without adventure until they arrived within two miles of Lanark, where Archie found Wallace was now staying.

On the road Bruce had had much conversation with Archie, and learned the details of many adventures of which before he had only heard vaguely by report.