Page:History of King Robt. Bruce (1).pdf/16

16 The fine English cavalry rushed forward to support their archers; but, coming over the ground which was dug full of pits, the horses and riders fell into them, and a general disorder ensued. Bruee now advaneed with all his forees, and pressed them more closely. The young and gallant Earl of Gloucester attempted to rally the fugitives, but was thrown from his horse and cut in pieees, which increased the general confusion. At this critical moment, an event happened which helped to decide the victory: In a valley to the rear, west of a rising ground, now called Gillies' Hill, Bruee had stationed his baggage, under the charge of the gillies or servants and followers of the camp. At the critical moment when the English line was wavering and confusion reigned on the left flank, these gillies, either from curiosity to behold the battle, or with the design of assisting their countrymen, advaneed to the summit of the hill, where, seeing their companions likely to gain the day, they began to descend the hill with loud re-echoing shouts, and, being taken for a reinforeement of the Scottish army, caused the English to give way in the greatest confusion, who fled iu every direetion. Many sought refuge among the roeks in the neighbourhood of Stirling Castle, and many were drowned in the rivers. Pembroke and Sir Giles d'Argentine had never quitted Edward during the action; but now seeing the battle irretrievably lost, Pembroke constrained the king to quit the field. D'Argentine refused to fly. He was a man of great valour, and had a high reputation in Scotland. He is said to have thrice encountered two Saraeen warriors at onee in Palestine, and to have killed them both each time. His valour now availed him but little, for, rushing into the midst of the Scottish army, he was instantly eut in pieces. Edward, in his flight, was elosely pursued by Douglas with a party of sixty horsemen. At the Torwood he met Sir Lawrenee Abernethy, who was hastening to the English rendezvous with twenty horsemen. The latter soon abandoned the cause of the vanquished, and joined Douglas in the pursuit of Edward, who fled to Linlithgow. He had scareely arrived there when he was alarmed by the approach of the Seots, and again he was obliged to fly. Douglas and Abernethy followed him with the greatest assiduity, but, notwithstanding their utmost efforts, Edward got safe to Dunbar, fifty miles from the field of battle, where he was received by the Earl of Mareh, who proteeted him till he could be eonveyed by sea to England.

Such was the decisive and glorious victory of Bannockburn, the greatest defeat the English ever sustained from the Scots. On the side of the latter no persons of note were slain