The life of Sir William Wallace, the governor general of Scotland, and hero of the Scottish chiefs. By Peter Donaldson.

SIR WILLIAM WALLACE. 39
ter, he was refused admittance, until the Provost was
sent for to examine the strangers. WVhen he saw
Wallace, a tall strong man, he fixed his eyes upon
him, suspected his huge appearance, and enquired
whether they were all Scotsmen. Wallace readily
answered, we are not only all Scotsmen, but, as it
is time of peace, there is no cause to refuse us admission." " This I grant," said the Provost, " and men
of peace should always be well treated; but pray,
tell me your name, and from what part of the country you are come?" Wallace answered," my name is
William. Malcom, we come from Ettrick Forest, in
the Scutl, to seek better employment in the North,
and to see the country."7 The Provost then apologised for his suspicious inquiries, adding that he
meant no harm by his questioning of them, excusing
himself by saying, " that so many reports had been
circulated about one William Wallace, born in the
West, who was slaying or destroying the English
wherever he could find them, therefore, as he was a
tall, strong man, it was necessary to know those whom
they admitted into the town." Wallace professed to
know nothing about William Wallace, and desired
the Provost not to mention such a hated name; and
he was not only admitted into town, but had an
inn provided for him and his men, until they should
find employment, and were provided with every thing
the place afforded. He often invited Englishmen to
drink with him, on purpose to discover their number
and strength of the place; his great business being to
spy out their positions, in order to surprise them, or
burn the town.