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him, to punish him with death for this action ; but Wallace lav concealed among the hills and great woods till the matter was forgotten, and then appeared in other parts of the country.
The action, however, which occasioned his finally rising in arms, happened in the town of Lanark. Wallace was at this time married to a lady of that place, and resided there with his wife. It chanced, as he walked in the market-place, dressed. in a green garment, with a rich dagger by his side, that an Englishman came up and insulted him on account of his finery; saying, a Scotchman had no business to wear so gay a dress, or carry so handsome a weapon. This produced a quarrel, and Wallace drew his sword, thurst the English- man through the body; and afterwards fled to his own house, which was speedily assaulted by all the English soldiers. While they were endeavouring to force their way in at the front of the house, Wallace
