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

CHAPTER II.
Wallace's first appearance in arms. Rencounter with
part of the train of Lord Percy. Leaves his uncle,
and takes shelter with the nonjurors. Adventures at
Ayr. Slays the Squire Longcastle.
According to some writers, the deeds al¬
luded to in the foregoing chapter, as having been
performed by Wallace, and his associates at
Dundee, were not his first efforts against the
enemies of his country; he is said to have been
present at the battle of Dunbar, and to have
attracted considerable notice by the fearless
intrepidity of his conduct.
Though there is no positive evidence existing
in support of this assertion, yet a good deal of
well-grounded conjecture may be advanced in
its favour. At the time the battle was fought,
he had arrived at an age, difficult to be restrained
from mingling in the “ pomp and circumstance
of war; ” and it is not likely when the flower of
the nation were crowding to join the banners of
their insulted country, that an athletic youth, of
his high chivalrous spirit, would have remained