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

SIR WILLIAM WALLACE.
21
loitering about the deserted halls of his alma
mater, when such a spirit-stirring war cry was
abroad. It may also be remarked, that, at this
early period of his history, his conduct had
attracted the notice of Thomas of Erceldoune,
otherwise, Thomas the Rymer, and this shrewd
observer of the “ signs of the times ” had been
so struck with his talents and hardihood, as to
risk his prophetic fame, then in its zenith, by
pointing him out to his countrymen, as the man
destined to deliver them from thraldom; his
matchless strength, joined to the sharpness of
his repartees, and the dexterity with which he
played off his practical waggery against the
English, tended no doubt to impress the mind
of the seer with this favourable opinion. These
exploits, with which a portion of what was then
considered humour, was usually combined, are
sometimes alluded to, by ancient writers, under
the title of “ Gestes; ” perhaps they formed part
, of the work compiled by his friend, John Blair—
if so, we have an additional reason for regretting
the loss of that valuable record.
The following is among the earliest of his ad¬
ventures of which we have any thing like a
circumstantial account, an apprehension for the
consequences of which obliged him to withdraw
himself from the residence of his uncle. One