Page:Battle of Drumclog.pdf/14

 In the fearful carnage, he himself sometimes reeled. He would stop short in the midst of a movement, then contradict his own orders, and strike the man, because he could not comprehend his meaning.

He ordered flanking parties to take us on right and left. 'In the name of God' cried he, 'cross the bog, and charge them on the flanks, till we get over the morass. If this fail we are lost.'

It now fell to my lot to come into action. Hitherto we had fired only some distant shot. A gallant officer led his band down to the borders of the swamp, in search of a proper place or cross. We threw ourselves before him. A severe firing commenced. My gallant men fired with great steadiness. We could see many tumbling from their saddles, Not content with repelling the foemen, we found our opportunity to cross, and attack them sword in hand. The Captain, whose name I afterwards ascertained to be Arrol, threw himself in my path. In the first shock discharged my pistols. His sadden start on the saddle, told me that one of them had taken effect. With one of the tremendous oaths of Charles II. he closed with me. He fired his steel pistol. I was in front of him.—My sword glanced on the weapon, and gave a direction to the bullet which saved my life. By this time, my men had driven the enemy before them,