Page:Traditional Tales of the English and Scottish Peasantry - 1887.djvu/71

Rh tumultuous, when Lord Nithsdale, a little high-spirited and intrepid man, shook Sir Thomas by the shoulder, and said: 'This is no time, Sir Knight, for minstrel lore and lady's love; betake thee to thy weapon, and bring all thy wisdom with thee, for truly we are about to need both.' Sir Thomas rose, and having consulted a moment with Lord Kenmore, returned to us and said: 'Come, my young friend, we have played the warrior; now let us play the scout, and go forth and examine the numbers and array of our enemies. Such a list of their generals and major-generals has been laid before our leaders as turns them pale; a mere muster-roll of a regiment would make some of them lay down their arms and stretch out their necks to the axe. Lord Kenmore, fair Eleanor, who takes a lady's counsel now and then, will have the honour of sitting by your side till our return.' So saying, Walter Selby and Sir Thomas left us, and I listened to every step in the porch, till their return, which happened within an hour.

"They came splashed with soil, their dress rent with hedge and brake; and they seemed to have owed their safety to their swords, which were hacked and dyed to the hilts. The leaders questioned them: 'Have you marked the enemy's array and learned aught of their numbers?' 'We have done more,' said Sir Thomas; 'we have learned from the tongues of two dying men that Willis, with nine regiments of horse, and Colonel Preston, with a battalion of foot, will scarcely await for dawn to attack you.' This announcement seemed to strike a damp to the hearts of several of the chiefs, and instead of giving that consistency to their councils which mutual fear often inspires, it only served to bewilder and perplex them. 'I would counsel you,' said Sir Thomas, 'to make an instant attack upon their position before their cannon arrive; I will lead the way. We are inferior in number, but superior in courage. Let some of our Border troopers dismount, and with the clansmen, open a passage through Colonel Preston's troops which line the hedgerows and enclosures; the horse will follow, and there can be no doubt of a complete victory.' Some opposed this advice, others applauded it; and the precious hours of night were consumed in unavailing debate and passionate contradiction.

"This was only interrupted by the sound of the trumpet and the rushing of horse; for Willis, forcing the barriers at