But first let our faithful Halbert and these honest fellows lower Lord Mar into the place of refuge.

He being the cause of the affray, if discovered, would be immediately sacrificed." Lord Mar acquiesced; and while the contention was so loud without, as to threaten the tearing down of the walls, the earl was carried into the garden.

He was followed by Sir William Wallace, to whose arm his wife yet fondly clung.

At every cry of the enemy, at every shock they gave to his yet impregnable gates, she breathed the shorter, and was clasped by the lord of her heart still more closely to his bosom.
At the well-side they found the earl bound with rope that was to lower him to the bottom.

By great care it was safely done; and the cord being brought up again, before it was tied round Wallace (for his agonized wife insisted he should descend next), he recollected that the iron box at his side might hurt the wounded nobleman by striking him in his descent; and, unbuckling it, he said it contained matters of great value, and ordered it to be lowered first.
Lord Mar, beneath, was releasing it from the rope, when a shout of triumph pierced their ears.