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

56
LIFE OF
ford the Scots for spreading the insurrection
more extensively. This conflicting opinion,
backed by the earnest entreaties of his uncle,
induced Wallace to agree to the measure re¬
quired.
By the truce, thus arranged, Wallace had
more opportunities of mingling with his oppres¬
sed countrymen, and learning the extent of their
grievances. Though many cases of individual
suffering came under his notice, nothing appear¬
ed to affect him more than the desolation which
had overtaken a respectable and ancient family
in the neighbourhood of Lanark. Hew de Brad-
foot, a zealous advocate for the liberties of his
country, possessed the lands of Lymington, and
left them at his death to his son, who had imbib¬
ed, with all the ardour of youth, that love of li¬
berty so fondly cherished by his father. For
some display of these patriotic feelings, he incur¬
red the displeasure of Hasilrig, the English go¬
vernor of Lanark, who found a pretext for at¬
tacking him in his castle, and put him along with
anumber of his friends to the sword- The house
and lands of Lymington now became the right
of a surviving sister. The youth and beauty of
this young gentlewoman attracted the notice of
the murderer of her friends; and under the pre¬
tence of a regard for her safety, obliged her to