"There will be time enough for that, Sir William, ten years hence; but in truth I have been on an adventure on my own account." "So, in sober earnest, I expected, Archie, and feared that your enterprise might lead you into some serious scrape since I deemed that it must have been well nigh a desperate one or you would not have hidden it from my knowledge." "It might have led to some blows, Sir William, but happily it did not turn out so.

Knowing the importance you attached to the adhesion of the cause of Scotland of Robert the Bruce, I determined to fetch him hither to see you; and he is now waiting with my band for your coming, in a wood some two miles from the town." "Are you jesting with me ?" Wallace exclaimed.

"Is the Bruce really waiting to see me?
Why, this would be well nigh a miracle." "It is a fact, Sir William; and if you will cause your horse to be brought to the door I will tell you on the road how it has come about." In another five minutes Sir William and his young follower were on their way, and the former heard how Archie had entrapped Robert Bruce while riding to Crossraguel Abbey.
"It was well done, indeed," the Scottish leader exclaimed; "and it may well prove, Archie, that you have done more towards freeing Scotland by this adventure of yours than we have by all our months of marching and fighting." "Ah! Sir William, but had it not been for our marching and fighting Bruce would never have wavered in his allegiance to Edward.

It was only because he begins to think that our cause may be a winning one that he decides to join it." The meeting between Wallace and Bruce was a cordial one.

Each admired the splendid proportions and great strength of the other, for it is probable that in all Europe there were no two more doughty champions; although, indeed, Wallace was far the superior in personal strength while Bruce was famous through Europe for his skill in knightly exercise.
Archie withdrew to a distance while the leaders conversed.