Wallace, or the days of Scotland's thraldom: a romance

Preface

. It is Avell known that legends abound, in every nook and corner of Scotland, relating to incidents in the life of our great Patriot Hero, which are unnoticed, or only partially alluded to, by those who have recorded his deeds. In fact, from the time when he became openly opposed to the usurpation of Edward, his career was a series of hair breadth escapes, and of daring adventures, of the most romantic description. Many of these were collected, some sixty years after his death, by Blind Harry, and faithfully chronicled. Others have continued to float down the stream of time from age to age, even to the present day ; and it is a fact remarkably illustrative of the hold he had on the imaginations of men, and also of the degree

PREFACE.

. IV of credit that is to be given to these traditions, that many words are found in them which are ob solete noAv in the vernacular, and which the simple shepherd who tells the tale perhaps does not under stand, yet thinks necessary to the truthfulness of his narrative, and therefore never omits, because it Avas so handed down to him, in all the freshness and originality of ancient times, through nearly twenty generations, enthusiastic in their admira tion of, and tenacious of aught that related to, the martyr of their country's freedom. The following tale is founded on one of these ; and the author has not deviated materially from the original. Blind Harry says but little of the lady whom AYallace married, but he casually, in different places, mentions facts which tend to cor roborate the principal incidents in the legend re lating to her.

Thus, in speaking of the elder Heselrig, in connection Avith the lady, he says " But Heselrig had a matter new begun, And her desired in marriage for his son."

PREFACE.

. 1 He also mentions the hills of Cuiuuock (Cumno) frequently as the resort of Wallace and other patriots, who were obliged to live in concealment; and it Avould seem from one expression that they had a fixed residence near Blackcraig Hill. He says, " To the Blackcraig in C'innno part again, Where three months he dwelt in good rest Local circumstances also support the truth of the tradition; for instance, there is a stone in Afton Glen that is called to this day Wallace's Stone. The name of the Celtic lords of Cumnock is altered from the original story, which represents it to haA'e been M'Rierick ; and the M'Riericks of Kerne, in the neighbourhood, are said to have sprung from the race. This family became ex tinct only during the last century. The Author here, Avith all humility, endeavours to narrate these unrecorded occurrences in the life of our hero without trenching on the solid ground VI

PREFACE.

. of the historian. He sometimes, indeed, Avhen describing Avhat has been also noticed by Blind Harry, takes the liberty to adhere rather to that Avhich he has obtained from oral tradition, but without making any considerable variation. With regard to certain phrases and words used by him, he begs to say, that he has endeavoured to give to them the meaning which they bore at the period to Avhich the tale refers. Thus the word " noble" is applied as it Avas then to all Avho were descended of families possessed of coat armour. " Lord " Avas used in its more comprehensive sense also, and had nearly the same meaning as " laird," or " baron" some generations later, Avhen these titles were given in Scotland to all considerable land owners who were vassals of the Crown, and were not of the peerage. PoitTOBELLO, 27th Dec. 1851.

Chapter I

His stature manly, bold and tall, Built like a castle's battled wall ; Yet moulded in such just degrees, His giant strength seems lightsome ease ; His eye had that compelling dignity ; His mien that bearing haught and high, Which common spirits fear. * * * A half-clad serf was all his train. Lord of the Isles. On a day in Spring, about the end of the thir teenth century, two strangers approached the Ava ter of Irvine, in Ayrshire, near the bridge which then stood between the villages of Biccarton and Galston. They were evidently master and ser vant ; for the former had a fishing-rod in his hand, and the latter carried a basket at his back, ob viously meant to receive the fish that might be caught. The master was a youth of little more than twenty, but of a size and strength which feAV men possess at any age.

The symmetry of his form was so perfect, that his height, which ap proached the gigantic, did not appear remarkable to the casual observer. His face was oval, his nose slightly acquiline, and his eye of a dark grey. His auburn hair curled closely under the cap or bonnet which he wore, and Avhich was graced by a feather, indicating his claim to the rank of gen tleman ; the beard, of darker hue, was short, corresponding Avith his age, and he had a thick fringe on the upper lip. The countenance formed by these features Avas strikingly handsome, and such as would instantly attract the notice of a stranger. But it was remarked that those Avhose gaze was directed to his face in admiration of its beauty, had it fixed by a sort of fascination, for Avhich they found it difficult to account, but which they Avere aAvare, had no connexion with, or origin in, mere regularity of feature.

It was that expression of calm quiescent poAver, of latent energy of mind, \\ hich his aspect bore on all occasions, and which mysteriously and unwittingly, on his part, exercised its influence over ordinary men. His attire, although a plain cloak and doublet of dark-coloured cloth, was cut in the fashion worn by gallants of the day. His folioAver belonged to a class then numerous in Britain, avIio, in old charters, under the appellation of " natives," are mentioned as being transmitted from father to son, or from one landholder to another, along with the land. He was clothed in a sort of doublet of coarse woollen cloth, fitting close to his person as far as the haunches, and expanding there into the form of a kilt, which reached to the knee ; brogues or sandals of dried coAv-skin. Avith the hair outside, which vrere laced by thongs of leather to above the ankle, completed his dress.

He had no cap nor bonnet, and his legs and arms were bare. His head was protected by a thick shock of fiery red hair, which fell about his neck and over his ears, and even eyes occasionally, in rude profusion. He trudged along, easily keeping pace with the small steed of his master, until, dismounting at the bridge, the latter spoke a few words in Gaelic, still the language of the general body of the people in Ayrshire, and proceeded to arrange the fishing-tackle and to begin his amusement. After turning loose the well-trained hobler to graze in the meantime, his follower lounged care lessly over the parapet, watching the progress of the fishing, and only approaching his master when he saAV there was something to be deposited in the basket. This had not continued long till the scene was changed by the appearance on the bridge of four men in green, who wore on their barret caps the red cross of St George.

They advanced with an air of haughty superiority, to the more humble individual who, nevertheless, kept his seat quietly on the parapet. " What do'st stare at, fellow V said the foremost, gruffly. " Did'st never see an Englishman before 1 Prythee, Dick, be this one of the wild Scots, men speak of, who live in the wilderness and feed on nuts and acorns like our hogs \ Sure he doth not dAvell among Christians ! " " 'Mass," replied Dick, " I think he be, for his eyes are like a wild-cat's, and his beard, St Anthony ! it would kindle tinder." So saying, he put forth his hand cautiously, like one Avho strokes an animal, of Avhose peaceful na ture he is not Avell assured, to catch the other's beard ; but he drew back with a sort of groAvl and a menacing gesture, that amused the Southrons exceedingly.

In the meantime they had descried the master below. " Ho! Sir Scot, hast any fish?" asked the first speaker, who seemed to be their leader. " Wilt thou come up and give us what thou hast, or shall >ve take it from this valorous servitor of thine?" But no answer came from the fisher. " Now this passeth ! " cried Watt of Badley, the leader, impatiently. " Dost think, Scot, that a cock's feather in thy cap doth entitle thee to disdain an English yeoman, who is thy equal, if thou Avert noble, seeing thou art but a Scot ? Dost hear ? Nay, an thou wilt not speak" — " What wouldst thou, Southron," cried a deep stern voice from below ; " go thy ways and trouble me not." " Thou be d !" cried Watt in Avrath ; "are we to be thus evil entreated in this beggarly country ? Seize the fish," continued he, grasping the beard of the poor fellow who had charge of it, while another laid hold of his basket : but spring ing alertly to one side, and giving at the same time a tap on the head to his nearest opponent, the Scot rescued both beard and fish from the enemy, and, exclaiming in a strong guttural accent, " what duss ta Soothron want ?" stood on the defensive.

Watt of Badley, much exasperated, called on his comrades to throAv him over the bridge on the head of the man below, " and thus," said be, grin ning himself into better humour at his own joke. •' if Ave do not kill two dogs with one stone, Ave shall at least fell two Scots Avith one." The poor serf, driven to the last extremity, and quite aware that he could expect little leniency from the Southrons, put his back to the parapet, and shouted to his master. " Ay, let him come," cried Watt ; " it will save us the trouble of going to him, for we must teach him also hew to behave to us. But, comrades, we shall lose the je>t if you cast him not over at once — up with him ! " They made a rush upon the man, one dropping before his cudgel, and the rest holding him fast ; and, enraged by a resistance they Avere so little in the habit of meeting among the poor dispirited people, they were raising him, still struggling, over the parapet, to precipitate him into the stream bc- Ioav, when his master suddenly appeared among them, his features strongly excited, and his voice quivering, as he inquired what Avas the matter.

" Matter ! " exclaimed Watt. " Matter, quotha ! Seest not ? A free-born Englishman struck by a Scotch slave! Over with him, still say I." " Thou shalt not slay him, Southron," cried the other in a startling voice. " Shall not ! Hear ye, my mates ? By St George, this is mutiny ! Hark ye, young man, beware of your words, and eke of your actions." They were still intent on throwing over the un fortunate serf, Avhen his master sprang among them, and catching up their leader, who was a small man, as if he had been an infant, held him high in air over the river. " Now, Southrons, stand back and release my follower, or by the might of God, this fellow goes down where he hangs !" The Southrons started back in amazement at this sudden and energetic display of extraordinary strength ; but, after a pause, recovering them selves, they advanced, sword in hand, on the daring Scot.

" For Christ's sake," said Watt, in a piteous tone, " assail him not, comrades ! I am helpless as a babe in his hands." " He tells you true," said the Scot ; " go in peace, and let me go ; I desire not to war Avith vou." " Why, then, let there be truce." " Truce, truce," cried the other two ; and Watt once more, to his great joy, stood on terra firma ; but scarcely had his feet touched the ground, when one of his comrades, thinking that he was in safety, bestoAved as piteful blow, inflicting a gaping Avound, on the poor serf's side, and the rest agaiu advanced to the attack. Enraged by this treachery, the tall Scot seized Watt as he was hastening to his friends, and instead of pitching him over the parapet, threw him, as if cast from a battering engine, among them, prostrating one of them, who lay with Watt on the ground apparently dead.

The Scot then drew his whinger and attacked the remaining two, Avho did not stay for his onset ; but, amazed and panic stricken by what they had seen, betook themselves to flight. Their antagonist cast but one glance after them', and another on his prostrate foes, then turned to his follower, who, faint and bleeding, supported himself against the parapet of the bridge. His eye had followed his master through every movement, and as he approached him, it lighted up with a joyful expression. " My poor Cormack," said the latter, as he pro ceeded to bind up his wound in the best manner he could, " thou hast had enough in thy day of South ron injustice. Cheer thee, my friend ! do not droop — art athirst ? I can bring water from the stream." And Avithout pausing for ansAver he bounded down the bank, bonnet in hand, and returned instantly Avith it half filled with water, which revived the sufferer immediately.

He no sooner felt strengthened than he began to feel his master all over, asking many questions to ascertain if he had received any hurt. The other displayed towards him the same kindly feeling, carefully at times ad justing the rough bandage, partially displaced by motion, and talking to him in his own tongue in a soothing strain. At length he turned to his foe men, one of whom sheAved some signs of life, but the other seemed to be gone for ever. By rubbing his wet bonnet over the face and neck of the former, he so far recovered him as to get him to sit upright against the parapet and to stare around, but he said nothing. " An evil day I fear this is for both of us, my poor Cormack! How shall I get these Southron tyrants, Avho listen but to one side of the question, to believe the true nature of this unlucky affair ?

How convince mine uncle, Avho must be at hand now, that I am not the aggressor?" Ho sat doAvn in a desponding mood on a stone near Cormack, and many minutes had not passed when, roused by the trampling of horses, he looked up and beheld a party advancing towards the bridge, armed cap-a-pie, and bearing on their pen non the well-known arms of Loudon. At their head rode the stately old chief of that house, who, casting a glance, first at the Scots on the bridge, in which there was a peculiar meaning, and then at the disabled Southrons — " How now," cried he, " what have we here ?" Watt of Badley had recovered his speech, and he, Avithout the slightest hesitation, accused the Scots of maltreating him and his party ; for he knew the stranger instantly. " I was out with my comrades," said he, " by permission of the seneschal, and we were" — " First tell me what thou art.

By the sign on thy cap thou shouldst be of the Lord Percy's army." " Even so, noble Lord Sheriff," said Watt, " we are archers of the Lord Governor's band in these parts, and we demand justice on this man, who hath overthrown and maltreated us, as your Lordship may see." " Thou art far from garrison, good fellow " We had leave for recreation to travel the country, conditioned that we reported correctly what chanced on our Avay." " Spies !" muttered the Sheriff to himself. " And now," continued he in a more stern voice, " fail sir, Avill it please thee to give thy account of this fine business 1" " It is true, my Lord," replied the young Scot, 'that Ave two were wrongfully attacked by four Southrons, aud Ave discomfited them." " Four ! I see but two." " The others fled ;" and he gave a correct and particular account of the Avhole affair — hoAV he avoided a collision as long as it Avas possible, and how he Avas driven to resistance by their treacher ous attack.

What he said bore the stamp of truth, and there was a visible movement among the men at-arms, expressive of this feeling. " Archers," asked Sir Ranald CraAvford ; " may this be so?" " It is false !" cried Watt. " We did but play with this wold man, when he felled to the earth one of our number like an ox, and Ave did then lay hold to cast him over. 'Mass, an' Scots strike Englishmen after this fashion, where be our dis cipline ? And this tall fellow comes me forth from the river, and catches me up like a piece of wood, and hurls me at my comrades ; and so" — Feeling ashamed at the implied issue of four being defeated by one, he paused abruptly. " And so this malignant and most foolish Scot had the temerity to assail four archers of Lord Percy's band, and to discomfit them. In faith, it was an evil deed, and shall be inquired into.

Meanwhile, fitting care must be had of thee and thy comrade, if he be not past remeid." Then calling a squire, he ordered him to convey them to Galston Castle, with a request that they might be Avell tended by its lord, that being the nearest place Avhere such good attendance could be obtained. — " For you, young sir, you wend with me ; take thee to thy hobler ; and one of you must have this wounded serf on his crupper. Canst thou ride so, poor felloAV?" " Yea, my Lord," said Cormack, " I am better." " Then take them as prisoners, caught redhand by the Sheriff, to our own strength of Loudon." So saying, he turned slowly away, while the squire and two yeomen were preparing to obey his orders, and the rest of the band closed in round the captives, placing Cormack behind a yeoman of their number.

Sir Ranald spoke not until the Southrons were on the way to Galston, when he gave the word to set on. A look of intelligence went round among the men-at-arms, who were all gentlemen of his oavu blood, frequently, throughout the proceedings which have just been narrated, and they were no sooner fairly on their journey than whispered greetings passed between them and the stranger, Avhich were soon silenced, however, Avhen their old Chieftain, who rode on before, stopped abruptly, and addressed him. " Noav, William Wallace," said he, with an ex pression of countenance in which nature struggled sadly with an assumed dignity of demeanour — " Nay, uncle," cried the young man earnestly, " as God shall judge me, my tale is sooth." "I believe thy tale," said the Sheriff, gravely. " Do not imagine I Avould suppose thee to be capable of a gross falsehood.

Seest thou, Will of Drongan, how imprudent and thoughtless this kinsman of ours will ever be? What, in the fiend's name, threw thee in the way of these men 1 AVhat hadst thou to do there?" " Nay, my Lord, do him justice ; and rather ask Avhat in the devil's name brought these cowardly espials so near the castle of Ayrshire's Sheriff," replied the one he addressed. " For me," replied Wallace, " I can easily tell what brought me so near the way side — it Avas even to apprise mine honoured uncle, ere he reach Loudon, that an armed band hath been proAvling and prancing within his bounds this live long day from three of the morn." " Sayest thou in my bounds ! Broken men, doubtless, and thieves they must be. Bore they no pennon ? " " That of a knight, men say, under the Red Cross of England." " How ! it is impossible.

The Lord Governor dare not do me this injury !" Sir Ranald pulled up his horse abruptly, and shewed considerable agitation on hearing this news. " Couldst thou learn no more, fair nephew ?" " Nothing. It was about noon the seneschal sent this intelligence to Riccarton. He hath placed careful espial on them, and doubtless neAvs will soon be obtained." " Tavo of you prick on before, look sharply and carefully round, and at sight of any armed men, return instantly," said the Sheriff; and at the word tAvo men-at-arms galloped off in front. They were noAv Avithin a short distance of Loudon Castle, and on the road by which any men from the garrison must return to Ayr. The day was Avaning fast also ; and Sir Ranald had just satisfied himself that he would likely fall in with these intruders, Avhoever they might be, when the horsemen returned on the gallop, and reported a plump of spears advancing within half a mile; and in a feAV minutes a turn of the road shcAvcd the whole party, but no banner of any sort Avas displayed bv them.

As the two bands approached each other, the men-at-arms carefully closed their visors, and the yeomen looked to their bows. " They halt," said Sir Ranald; " go forward, William of Drongan. Greet them fairly, and cour teously inquire who they be who have honoured Loudon by their presence." Drongan's sarcastic countenance, as he delivered the message, probably turned the really courteously meant greeting into a sneering inquiry as to Avhat they were doing there — at least the reply of the person who advanced to meet him, arrayed in the helmet and spurs of a knight, Avould imply that it was not well received. " Who are we ? Doth the Lord of Loudon wish to know ? Then tell him we are the men of King Edward, lawful sovereign of England, Ireland, and Scotland (emphasizing the last word), and we have been discharging our duty, by seizing some refrac tory subjects, whose tongues have been too frankly telling their minds in this neighbourhood.

Perhaps the Sheriff may assist in judging and punishing the malapert knaves," added he with a sneer. " You are here, Sir Knight," answered Drongan, " on the lands, and within the jurisdiction of a free baron, and one who, moreover, is not only a loyal subject, but in high authority under the King. Surely, then, it is but scant courtesy to deny to my lord the right of judging his OAvn vassals and tenants ; and if you have seized and are carrying off as captives some of them, it were vain to deny that you are doing an act of great dis courtesy." " Thy message is done, Sir Squire," replied the Southron, with a lofty look ; " I shall talk with thy Lord." Old Drongan cast a scowl of hatred on the group, and turned, without the slightest gesture of courtesy, to deliver the words of the stranger to his Chief.

The strange knight instinctively dreAv up his form Avith hauteur, as he perceived the old Baron put his horse in motion to approach him ; but the manners of the times did not permit of disrespect from youth to age, and the Southron felt himself obliged, however disinclined, to meet him. " Sir Knight," began the Sheriff, " I greet thee well ; the officer of King Edward is welcome within my bounds." " I salute you, my Lord of Loudon ; and I pray you to bear in mind that I seek no matter of dispute between us ; but, peradventure, what hath chanced may be displeasing to you, as it hath been to your folloAver ; true it is, I have, in my duty, taken traitors to Kiug Edward within your barony, and by the special command of the Governor." The old man bent his head slightly, as if bowing to the authority just named, but his face wras flushed, and his eye flashing.

" Yet methinks," said he, " the Lord Governor hath but little faith in me to dispatch a force for this purpose, without speaking of it, seeing it was but yester morn I saw his Lordship, and that his young knight is to do what I myself should have done, both as Sheriff and liegeman to the King." "But, perchance, noble Sheriff, the Lord Gover nor might think the task disagreeable to you," replied the Southron, Avith a glance to a follower near, which plainly said, I will play him a little, and tickle this polite but pertinacious old baron. The Sheriff Avas not so blind. " I pray thee let me see those prisoners, that I may know what men of mine have so far forgotten their duty." " Nay," quoth the Knight, taken rather by sur prise, " this may exceed my Avarrant." In the mean time, the two bands had approached gradually so near to each other, that this conversation betAveen the leaders Avas overheard by many in both, and among the rest by young Wal lace, Avho, unarmed as he Avas, and indifferently mounted, seemed a stranger in the Loudon train.

As the different bands came nearer to each other, the excitement increased, and nearly the Avhole of the Southrons, in eager anticipation of a fray, had left the rear, and the care of the prison ers, to occupy a position better calculated to support their party. The Scots, under similar circumstances, could not noAv recollect that their kinsman was in a sort of nominal captivity, and thus Wallace passed unheeded to the rear of the Southrons, where he found a few men, and to his surprise a woman, mounted each behind a horse man, and firmly secured to him. One of the former he recognised as a yeoman of considerable sub stance on the estate, who was highly esteemed by Sir Ranald. Wallace returned immediately to his uncle, who Avas still in conversation with the Eng lish Knight, and informed him of what he had seen.

Greatly astonished, and somewhat wroth, was the Sheriff, when he again accosted the Southron. " Fair Sir," said he. " I wish, in all courtesy, to conduct our discussion, but I learn there is a woman among the captives ; and, certes, it is known to you that Avomen are not to be made prisoners for treason. It were shame to chivalry should such practice hold." " How ! " cried the other, " I marvel to hear the wise Sheriff say so ; for many men hold them to be at the bottom of all treason." " Thy wit, young man, may not pass with me. Prythee, in one word, let me see this woman, other- Avise I must pray that thou shalt release her." " That may not be. I shall let no man meddle Avith gear intrusted to me by my liege ; not even the Sheriff of Ayr." As he said this, there Avas a toss of the head, and an expansion of the nostril, which did not escape the notice of Sir Ranald's men, and a movement occurred among them which was in stantly checked by him.

"Stand fast, CraAvfords," cried he — his form more erect and his mien more animated at the apparent ly near approach of battle. " Stir not ! And thou, Childe of Torringan ! keep thy lance erect, or, by the soul of Thorlongus, thou shalt feel the weight of mine !" Then in a loAver tone to Drongan, — " Keep them steady, Will ; shew a good front to these loons, Avhile I talk to their captain." He returned to the Southron, and the rebuked one, a mere youth, who, in the ardour of the moment, had couched his lance, sat, like all the rest, as if im moveable. " Another sharp Avoid from yon ill-favoured fel low," thought Drongan, who knew his old Chief well, "and we shall be on them like greyhounds from the slip." The force of the English might numerically be the same as that of the Scots, but they were all men-at-arms ; Avhile half of the other party" were mounted yeomen, Avho had instructions, in affairs of this sort, not to come to close battle, but to take adA'antage of the ground, and ply their bows on the flanks as Avell as front of the enemy.

They wore only jacks and iron head-pieces, and of course could not maintain an equal fight with men cased in armour. Nevertheless they Avere, like the other half of his train, picked men, and Sir Ranald had no fears of the issue, if nothing could avert a skirmish. On rejoining, to renew his conference with the Southron leader, a voice, which he recognised in stantly, exclaimed from their rear, " Here is rank villany, my lord of Loudon. Villany ! men and maidens reft from home Avithout cause told." These Avords immediately put to flight the stately and ceremonious courtesy which the old Sheriff had hitherto maintained toAvards his opponent. Turning fiercely to the latter, Avho observed a sullen doggedness of demeanour — " Thou hast maltreated my men," said he, sternly, " mayhap harried my lands, and wilt not listen to my words.