Page:Gallant exploits of Lord Dundee.pdf/22

14 Their arms were a broad sword, a dagger called durk, a target, a musket, and a pistol: So that the carried the long sword of the Celtes, the pugie of the Romans, the shield of the ancients, and both kind of modern fire-arms, all together. In battle the threw away the plaid and under garment, and fought in their jackets, making thus their movements quicker, and their strokes more forcible. Their advance to battle was rapid, like the charge of dragoon When near the enemy, they stopped a little to draw breath and discharge their muskets, which they the dropped on the ground: advancing, they fired the pistols, which they threw, almost at the same instant against the head of their opponents: and then rushed into the ranks with the broad sword, threatening and shaking the sword as they ran on; so as to conquer the enemy's eye, while his body was yet unhurt. They fought, not in long and regular line but in separate bands, like wedges condensed and firr the army being ranged according to the clans which composed it, and each clan according to its families so that there arose a competition in valour of clan with clan, of family with family, of brother with brother. To make an opening in regular troops, and conquer, they reckoned the same thing; because close engagements, and in broken ranks, no regular troops could withstand them. They received the bayonet in the target, which they carried on the long arm; then turning it aside, or twisting it in the target, they attacked with the broad-sword the enemy incumbered and defenceless; and, where they could not wield the broad-sword, they stabbed with the durk. The only foes they dreaded were cavalry; which many causes contributed: The novelty of the enemy, their want of the bayonet to receive the