Page:History of the life and death, of the great warrior Robert Bruce.pdf/21

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spent by the English in feasting and riot, while the Scots passed the intervening hours in watch- fulness and devotion. At break of day, Edward drew out his army, and rushed on to the attack. The ground was so awkwardly hemmed in for the advance of the English, that they had no room to expand their columns, and when they came in contact with the Scottish front, they were united in one dense mass. On an eminence was seen the Abbot of Inchaf- fray, a venerable priest, celebrating mass in front of the Scottish army. As he passed along the front, barefooted, with a crucifix in his hand, and exhorted the Scots to fight bravely for their coun- try, their liberty, and their lives, the whole army kneeled down, and implored the blessing of the God of Battles. “They yield!" cried Edward. “See! they implore mercy."--"They implore not ours," said De Umfraville, one of his gener- als; "on that field thcy will be victorious or die.”  The combat was obstinate and bloody. Rob- ert, perceiving his troops were much galled by the English archers, ordered Sir Robert Keith. with a small but resolute band of horse, to make a circuit and attack them in flank. The charge was so impetuous that the archers instantly gave way, and threw a part of the English army into