It seemed so incredible that Scotland, which had so long successfully resisted all invaders, should now tamely yield without a struggle, that the people could scarce believe it possible that their boasted freedom was gone, that the kingdom of Scotland was no more, and the country become a mere portion of England.  Thus, while the nobles with their Norman blood and connections accepted the new state of things contentedly enough, well satisfied to have retained rank and land, a deep and sullen discontent reigned among the people; they had been betrayed rather than conquered, and were determined that some day there should be an uprising, and that Scotland would make a great effort yet for freedom.  But for this a leader was needed, and until such a one appeared the people rested quiet and bided their time.

From time to time there came to Glen Cairn tales of the doings of that William Wallace who had, when the English first garrisoned the Scottish castles, while Edward was choosing between the competitors for her throne, killed young Selbye at Dundee, and had been outlawed for the deed.  After that he went and resided with his uncle, Sir Ronald Crawford, and then with another uncle, Sir Richard Wallace of Riccarton.  Here he gathered a party of young men, eager spirits like himself, and swore perpetual hostility to the English.

One day Wallace was fishing in the Irvine when Earl Percy, the governor of Ayr, rode past with a numerous train.  Five of them remained behind and asked Wallace for the fish he had taken.  He replied that they were welcome to half of them.  Not satisfied with this, they seized the basket and prepared to carry it off.  Wallace resisted, and one of them drew his sword.  Wallace seized the staff of his net and struck his opponent’s sword from his hand; this he snatched up and stood on guard, while the other four rushed upon him.  Wallace smote the first so terrible a blow that his head was cloven from skull to collarbone; with the next blow he severed the right arm of another, and then disabled a third.  The other two fled, and overtaking the earl, called on him for help; “for,” they said, “three of our number who stayed behind with us to take some fish from the Scot who was fishing are killed or disabled.”

“How many were your assailants?” asked the earl.

“But the man himself,” they answered; “a desperate fellow whom we could not withstand.”

“I have a brave company of followers!” the earl said with scorn.  “You allow one Scot to overmatch five of you!  I shall not return to seek for your adversary; for were I to find him I should respect him too much to do him harm.’’