Page:Life of Sir William Wallace.pdf/3

 except a small fragment, published in 1705, with a commentary by Sir Robert Sibbald.

A very striking incident in the life of the Scottish hero, which there is reason to believe is authentic, is as follows:— During the brief career o the celebrated patriot Sir William Wallace, and when his arms had for a time expelled the English invaders from his native country, be undertook a voyage to France, with a small hand of trusty friends, to try what his presence (for he was respected through all countries for his prowess) might do to induce the French monarch to send to Scotland, a body of auxiliary forces, or other assistance, to aid the Scots in regaining their independence,

The Scottish champion was on board a small vessel, and steering for the port of Dieppe, when a sail appeared in the distance, which the mariners regarded with doubt, and apprehension, and at last with confusion and dismay. Wallace demanded to know what was the cause of the alarm. The captain of the ship informed him, that the tall vessel which was bearing, down, with the purpose of boarding that which he commanded, was the ship of a celebrated rover, equally famed for his courage, strength of body, and successful piracies. It was commanded by a gentleman named Thomas de Longueville, a Frenchman by birth, but by practice one of those pirates who called themselves friends to the sea, and enemies to all who sailed upon that element. He attacked, and plundered vessels of all nations, like one of the ancient Norse Sea-kings, as they were termed, whose dominion was upon the mountain wave. The master added that no vessel could escape the rover by flight, so speedy was the bark he commanded; and that no crew, however hardy, could hope to resist him,