Page:Narrative of the Battles of Drumclog, and Bothwell Bridge (1).pdf/3

3 intense feeling, our watchman posted on the neighbouring height fired his carabine, and ran toward the congregation. He announced the approach of the enemy. We raised our eyes to the minister. "I have done," said Douglas, with his usual firmness—"You have got the theory.—now for the practice; you know your duty; self-defence is always lawful. But the enemy approaches.' He raised his eyes to heaven and uttered a prayer—brief and emphatic,—like the prayer of Richard Cameron, "Lord, spare the green, and take the ripe."

The officers collected their men, and placed themselves each at the head of those of his own district. Sir Robert Hamilton placed the foot in the centre, in three ranks. A company of horse, well armed and mounted, was placed on the left; and a small squadron also on the left. These were drawn back, and they occupied the more solid ground; as well with a view to have a more firm footing, as to arrest any flanking party that might take them on the wings. A deep morass lay between us and the ground of the enemy. Our aged men, our females, and children retired; but they retired slowly. They had the hearts and the courage of the females and children in those days of intense religious feeling, and of suffering. They manifested more concern for the fate of relatives, for the fate of the church, than for their own personal safety. As Claverhouse descended the opposite mountain, they retired to the rising ground in the rear of our host. The aged men walked with their bonnets ioin [sic] hand. Their long grey locks waved in the breeze. They sang a cheering psalm. The music was that of the well-known tune of "The Martyrs;" and the sentiment breathed defiance—The music floated down on the wind,—our men gave them three cheers as they fell into their ranks.