other's arms, but the Frenchman fell undermost; and Wallace, fixing
his grasp upon his gorget, compressed it so closely, notwithstanding
it was made of the finest steel, that the blood gushed from his
eyes, nose, and month, and he was only able to ask for quarter by
signs. His men threw down their weapons and begged for mercy when
they saw their leader thus severely handled. The victor granted them
all their lives, but took possession of their vessel, and detained
them prisoners.

When he came in sight of the French harbour, Wallace alarmed the
place by displaying the rover's colours, as if De Longueville was
coming to pillage the town. The bells were rung backward, horns
were blown, and the citizens were hurrying to arms, when the scene
changed. The Scottish Lion on his shield of gold was raised above
the piratical flag, and announced that the Champion of Scotland was
approaching, like a falcon with his prey in his clutch. He landed
with his prisoner, and carried him to the court of France, where,
at Wallace's request, the robberies which the pirate had committed
were forgiven, and the king even conferred the honour of knighthood
on Sir Thomas de Longueville, and offered to take him into his
service. But the rover had contracted such a friendship for his
generous victor, that he insisted on uniting his fortunes with
those of Wallace, with whom he returned to Scotland, and fought by
his side in many a bloody battle, where the prowess of Sir Thomas
de Longueville was remarked as inferior to that of none, save of
his heroic conqueror. His fate also was more fortunate than that of
his patron. Being distinguished by the beauty as well as strength
of his person, he rendered himself so acceptable to a young lady,
heiress of the ancient family of Charteris, that she chose him
for her husband, bestowing on him with her hand the fair baronial