Family records of the Bruces and the Cumyns

SIR WILLIAM WALLACE. 103
" irk of war," and could no further flee. This Sir Ranald did ; but " in that
respite Wallace could not abide," nor did his uncle wish him to remain so much
in the eye of the southeron (sheriff as he was), so he sent him to his father's
uncle, Sir Walter Wallace of Richardstoun, a wise and courageous knight, but
made blind in some encounter with the English.
It was in February that he went to Richardstoun.
On the 23d of April following he went to fish in the Irvine water. He had
no one with him but a little boy, and he had left his sword at home. (He never
did so again.) He was lucky, and caught a great many fish.
The Lord Percie, who was then governor of Ayr, came riding by towards
Glasgow with his train. Five of them, clad in garments green, stopt and
asked Wallace for some of his fish (St Martin's fish). He mildly replied, " It
were reason ye should have a part ; wealth should be dealt in all place and with
free heart," and bid his boy give them some ; but the southerons lighted down
and took them all from the child. Wallace said, " Gentlemen, if so ye be, leave
us a part ; an ancient knight serves our lady to-day. Good friends, leave us a
part, and take not all away."
They taunted him, and said he should have leave to fish for more. They
served a lord, and these fish should flit with them. Wallace answered, " Ye are
in the wrong." Upon this a southeron drew his sword, but Wallace, with the
fishing-rod he had in his hand, hit him on the cheek, so that he reeled back and
the sword flew out of his hand. Wallace caught it, and killed him with it.
They then all gathered round him, but he hit another on the head and cut off
the sword-hand of another one, and the two remaining fled after Lord Percie,
and " cried him to abide and revenge his men, who were being cruelly martyred
here in this false region ! " " Five of us," they said, " went to the river for fish ;
we are escaped, but three are slain." The lord asked " how many they might be
who encountered them ? " " We saw but one that has discomfited us all." Then
he laughed loud, and said, " By him this day he should not be sought."
But when Wallace returned to his " erne " (uncle), he said that he was sorely
grieved, for if this were known, skaith might come of it. " Uncle," he said, " I
will no longer bide ; these southeron horse let see if I can ride." He would not
take with him his uncle's sons, but silver and gold he received from him, and
was kindly told to come and fetch more when he wanted it ; and so he took his
leave and began his crusade against the invaders of his country single-handed
and alone.
After this, if we may believe Blind Harry, he lost no opportunity of killing
Englishmen wherever he met them. At Ayr he was taken prisoner for killing
the steward of the Governor, Lord Percie ; and nearly dying there from starva-