Then the guard rallied, and, joined by other soldiers who had run up, made a fierce attack upon him; but his line of pikes drawn up across the gate defied their efforts to break through.

Wallace and his party were within fifty yards of the gate when reinforcements from the castle arrived.

Sir John Kerr, furious at the prospect of his enemies again escaping him, headed them in their furious rush.

Wallace stepped forward beyond the line and met him.

With a great sweep of his mighty sword he beat down Sir John's guard, and the blade descending clove helmet and skull, and the knight fell dead in his tracks.
"That is one for you, Archie," Wallace said, as he cut down a man-at-arms.
In vain did the English try to break through the line of pikes.
When they arrived within twenty yards of the gate, Wallace gave the order, and the party turning burst through the English who were attacking its defenders and united with them.
"Fall back!" Wallace shouted, "and form without the gates.