Page:Narrative of the Battles of Drumclog, and Bothwell Bridge (1).pdf/22

22 He is down. This sword has saved it twice. I leave it to your care. You see its perilous situation.' He pointed with his sword to the spot.— We collected some of our scattered troops, and flew to the place. The standard bearer was down, but he was still fearlessly grasping the flag staff, while he was borne upright by the mass of men who had thrown themselves in fierce contest around it. Its well known blue and scarlet colours, and its motto, in brilliant gold letters, inspired us with a sacred enthusiasm.— We gave a loud cheer to the wounded ensign, and rushed into the combat. The redemption of that flag cost the foe many a gallant man. They fell beneath our broad swords; and, with horrible execrations dying on their lips, they gave up their souls to their Judge.

Here I met in front that ferocious dragoon of Clavers, named Tam Halliday, who had more than once, in his raids, plundered my halls; and had snatched the bread from my weeping babes. He had just seized the white staff of the flag. But his tremendous oath of exhultation, (we of the covenant never swear)—his oath had scarcely passed its polluted threshold, when this Andro Ferrarra fell on the guard of his steel and shivered it to pieces. 'Recreant loon?' said I, 'thou shall this day remember thy evil deeds.' Another blow on his helmet laid him at his huge length, and made him bite the dust. In the mele that followed, I lost sight of him. We fought like lions—but with the hearts of Christians. While my gallant companion stemmed the tide of battle, the standard, rent to tatters, fell across my breast. I tore it from the staff, and wrapt it round my body. We cut our way through the enemy, and carried our General off the field.

Having gained a small knoll, we beheld