Scotland/Scots > Life of Sir William Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie, and Guardian of Scotland

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LIFE OF
Ayr, who, being now deposed from his office of
Sheriff, lived a secluded and suspected man at
his castle in the neighbourhood. Under these
circumstances it became Wallace to be very cir¬
cumspect in his conduct, and avoid appearing
in any character that might endanger the safety
of his relative: he was also enjoined while he
remained under his roof, to shun every occasion
that might lead to a quarrel with the English in
the neighbourhood. This cautious policy of the
old gentleman did not, as will be seen from the
sequel, prevent him from falling a victim to the
jealousy of the oppressors of his country. To
the ardent and impetuous mind of his nephew,
this recommendation to passive obedience, was
particularly irksome; and though he refrained
from every aggression on the English, he did
not conceive the injunction to extend to a re¬
striction on his intercourse with those of his
countrymen, whose love of liberty induced them
to prefer a life of danger and privation, among
the impenetrable wilds, and fastnesses of their
country, to precarious safety, and certain slavery,
under the increasing tyranny of Edward. Of
such unbending spirits, Scotland, at that time,
contained many. From the turrets of Sir Ray-
nauld’s castle, Wallace, at nightfall, would look
forth towards the mountainous defiles of Garrick,