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

SIR WILLIAM WALLACE.
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rencounter on the banks of the Irvine, he again
made his appearance in the market-place of
Ayr; and, while lounging about in search of
what might be suitable for his purpose, his at¬
tention was attracted by an altercation between
the steward of the Lieutenant and a servant of
his uncle, about a basket of fish of a superior
quality, which the latter had bought, and the
former insisted on having. It was in vain Sir
Raynauld’s servant pleaded priority of purchase.
The other, swelled with all the insolence of office,
having that day to cater for the Lord Treasurer
and his train, as well as the household of his own
chieftain, refused to listen to any argument
from the mouth of the servant of a beggarly Scot,
as he unceremoniously termed the late Sheriff.
Wallace thought proper to interpose a remark
reflecting on the injustice of the steward’s de¬
mand, which the latter replied to by a stroke
across the shoulders with a rod, or hunting-staff,
which he carried in his hand. The fiery tem¬
perament of our young hero was not likely
to submit to an insult of this kind. But, for¬
getting his assumed character, he struck the
haughty menial dead on the spot. The report
soon spread among the English, that the steward
of Percy had been murdered by one of his lord¬
ship’s train; and a guard from the castle came