Page:Narrative of the battles of Drumclog, and Bothwell Bridge (2).pdf/4

4 practice; you know your duty; self-defence is always lawful. But the enemy approaches," He raised his to heaven and uttered a prayer-brief and emphatic-like the prayer of Richard CamcronCameron [sic], "Lord, spare  green, and take the ripe.".

The officers collected their men, and placed themselves each at the head of those of his own district. Robert Hamilton placed the foot in the centre, in ranks. A company of horse, well armed and was placed on the left; and a small squadron also on  left. These were drawn back, and they occupied more solid ground; as well with a view to have a  solid footing, as to arrest any flanking party that  take them on the wings. A deep morass lay us and the ground of the enemy. Our aged men, females and children retired; but they retired slowly. They had the hearts and the courage of the female children in those days of intense religious feeling and  suffcringsuffering [sic]. They manefested more concern for the of relatives, for the fate of the church than for their  personal safety. As Claverhouse descended the mountain, they retired to the rising ground in the  of our host. The aged men walked with their in hand. Their long grey hairs waving to the breeze. They sang a chceringcheering [sic] psalm. The music was that the wcllwell [sic]-known tune of "The Martyrs;" and the sentiment breathed defianeedefiance [sic].-The music floated down  the wind,-our men gave them three cheers as  fell into their ranks. Never did I witness such animation in the looks of men. For me, my spouse and little children were in the rear. My native plains, and the halls of my father, far below, in the deal of Aven were in full view from the heights which we occupied. My country seemed to raise her voice--the bleeding church seemed to wail aloud. 'And these,' I said, Clavers and his troops winded slowly down the dark mountain's side, 'these are the unworthy slaves, and bloody executioners, by which the tyrant completes our miseries.'