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

52
LIFE OF
mine what quarter deserved their most immedi¬
ate attention. After a variety of plans were
suggested, the Earl of Pembroke urged the pro¬
priety of endeavouring to procure a truce, till
such time as they could obtain such reinforce¬
ments from England as would enable them to
place the country under more effectual control.
The wisdom of this measure was acknowledged
by all; but the great objection was, the difficulty
of making the proposal, as Wallace, who ap¬
peared to be every where present for their an¬
noyance, was no where to be found when they went
in search of him; while, from the unceremonious
manner in which the English were hung up
who ventured to approach his retreats, few were
willing to undertake the mission. Under these
circumstances. Sir Raynauld Crawfurd, whom
Percy had compelled to follow him to Glasgow,
was applied to, as the most likely person to ef¬
fect the measure recommended. It was in vain
Sir Raynauld represented the difficulties he would
meet with in persuading his nephew to agree to
any truce which he might conceive to be pre¬
judicial to the interests of his country; he was
sternly reminded of the control which they still
held over a number of his relations and depend¬
ants, and the severest vengeance was denounced
against them, if he failed to procure the arrange-