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

SIR WILLIAM WALLACE. 25
One day, having visited Ayr with this inten¬
tion, he was attracted by a crowd collected near
the quarters of the military, in the midst of
which stood an Englishman of huge dimensions,
who was playing off his raillery against the sur¬
rounding Scots; and offering for a groat to allow
the best among them an opportunity of aveng¬
ing their country’s quarrel, upon his single per¬
son, by permitting them to exert their utmost
strength in striking a blow upon his back, with
a pole which he held in his hand—accompany¬
ing this absurd declaration with a number of
ridiculous gestures and scurrilous language;
while, with arms a-kimbo, his mailed companions
stood loitering around him, laughing and en¬
joying the humour of their bulky buffoon.
Wallace approached, and tendered treble the
sum for the permission offered; this was readily
agreed to by the jester, who winked to his com¬
rades as he prepared to fulfil the conditions.
Having examined the pole, and chosen his dis¬
tance, Wallace let fall a blow, with such good
will, on the part offered to his prowess, that the
bone giving way beneath its force, the English¬
man sunk, with a groan, at the feet of his com¬
panions. Instantly their swords were out to
revenge the slaughter of their favourite. One of
them in advancing towards Wallace received, on