84 



spoken of, by all who desired the independence of their 

 country, as one who promised to realise their most ardent 

 wishes. 



Cambuskenneth, on the opposite banks of the impe- 

 tuous Forth, became the theatre of a decisive victory, 

 which seemed about to deliver Scotland from the oppres- 

 sion of a foreign yoke. Wallace, at this time, stood 

 alone with a band of faithful men, who adhered to him 

 in all his struggles and vicissitudes. Earl Warrenne, 

 whom the king had originally appointed Governor of 

 Scotland, on the abdication of Baliol, which office he 

 had relinquished conditionally, from ill health, had crossed 

 the border-land with an anny of forty thousand men ; he 

 now sought by the celerity of his armament, and his march, 

 to compensate for his past negligence in the appointment 

 of Cressingham and Ormsby. Advancing with incredible 

 rapidity, he suddenly entered Annandale, and came up 

 with the Scots at Ervine, before their forces were collected, 

 and before they had put themselves in a posture of 

 defence. Many of the nobles being thus unex- 

 pectedly placed in a great dilemma, thought to save their 

 estates by submitting to Earl Warrenne. But Wallace, 

 nothing daunted, awaited his further progress on the 

 banks of the Forth. Victory declared in his favour, and 

 the wreck of the invading army, being driven from the 

 field, made its escape to England. 



Had Wallace been permitted to retain the dignity of 

 regent or guardian of the kingdom, under the captive Baliol, 



