Page:Life and surprising adventures of that renowned hero, Sir Wm. Wallace.pdf/6

 lived during the most inclement seasons of the year entirely in the open fields the woods and mountains, where he of- ten wandered subjected to all hardships, that it is possible for human nature to sustain, but animated by a spirit that enabled him to bid defiance to the direst calamities that assailed him.

The exploits of Wallace were soon generally known, and attracted the notice of many, who, dreading the stratagems of Edward to subvert their independence had courage to hazard their lives for the liberty of their country. At the head of such men as these, Wallace performed such exploits as posterity has surveyed with astonishment. He would frequently sally out of his lurking places, and with a handful of men defeat whole multitudes. His personal strength was extraordinary, and had often been tried; but to this he did not so much trust as to stratagem. Expeditious and indefatigable, cautious, though, undaunted, he eluded the pursuits of his enemies, and never exposed himself to numbers, but when certain to frustrate their endeavours, if not to triumph in their destruction. The English having proclaimed a justice meeting to he held at the town of Ayr, [18th June, 1296,] many of the neighbouring landed gentry attended,