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continuous flowers of the heath seemed to shed a purple 

 light upon the mountains. It was then in all its beauty, 

 for even the sternest scenes are beautiful when decked in 

 their summer glory, when gay flowers grow upon the 

 rocks, and birds and butterflies sport among them. The 

 heavens above were clear, and the shadows of flying 

 clouds seemed to set the plain country in motion ; where 

 the grass grew wild and high, it looked as if innumerable 

 pigmies were passing swiftly beneath the blades, and 

 causing them to rock to and fro with their rapid move- 

 ment. But not a sound was heard, except the heavy 

 tread of weary men, and the murmur of the river over 

 its pebbly bed. 



Young Bruce, who had given many proofs of aspiring 

 genius, and who had served hitherto in the English 

 army, appeared on the opposite bank of the river. While 

 standing there, and thinking, perhaps, as men are apt to 

 think, when the loveliness of creation is presented in 

 striking contrast to scenes of ruin and desolation, he 

 observed the Scottish chief, who was distinguished as 

 well by his majestic port, as by the intrepid activity of 

 his behaviour. Calling out to him, he demanded a short 

 conference, and having represented to Wallace the fruit- 

 less and ruinous enterprise in which he was engaged, 

 he endeavoured to bend his ardent spirit to submission. 

 He represented the almost hopeless condition of the 

 country, the prevailing factions among the people, and 

 the jealousy of the chiefs. He spoke concerning the 



