war appropriated as signal for that piece of nocturnal duty, and then finally sunk upon the wind with a shrill and mournful cadence.. The friends, who had now reached their post, stood and looked round them ere they lay down to rest. The western sky twinkled with stars, but a frost-mist rising from the ocean, covered the eastern horizon, and rolled in white wreaths along the plain where the adverse army lay couched upon their arms. Their advanced posts were pushed as far as the side of the great ditch at the bottom of the descent, and had kindled large fires at different intervals, gleaming with obscure and hazy lustre through the heavy fog which ap peared to encircle them with a doubtful, halo. The Highlanders, "thick as leaves in Valambrosa," lay stretched upon the ridge of the hill, buried (excepting their sentinels) in the most profound repose. "How many of these brave fellows will sleep more soundly before to-morrow night, Fergus!" You "You must not think of that. must only think of your sword, and by whom it was given. All other reflections are now too LATE." With the opiate contained in this undeniable remark, Edward endeavoured to lull the tumult of his conflicting feelings. The Chieftain and he combining their plaids, made a comfortable and warm couch. Callum, sitting down at their head, (for it was his duty to watch upon the immediate person of the Chief,) began a long mournful song in Gaelic, to a low and uniform tune, which, like the sound of the wind at a distance, soon lulled them to sleepy co 20 va bolest CHAPTER XXIV. The Conflict. WHEN they had slept for a few hours, they were awakened, and summoned to attend the Prince. The distant village clock was heard to toll three as they hastened to the place where he lay. He was already surrounded by his principal officers and the chiefs of clans. A bundle of peasestraw, which had been lately his couch, now served for his seat. Just as Fergus reached the circle, the consultation had broken up. "Courage, my brave friends!" said the Chevalier, and each one put himself instantly at the head of his command; "a faithful friend has offered to guide us by a practicable, though narrow and circuitous route, which, sweeping to our right, traverses the morass, and enables us to gain the firm and open plain, upon which the enemy are lying. This difficulty surmounted, Heaven and your good swords must do the rest." The proposal spread unanimous joy, and each leader hastened to get his men into order with as little noise as possible. The army, moving by its right from off the ground on which they had rested, soon entered the path through the morass, conducting their march with astonishing silence and great rapidity. The mist had not risen to the higher grounds, so that for some time they had the advantage of star-light. But this was lost as the stars faded before approaching day, and as the head of the marching column, continuing its descent, plunged as it were into the heavy ocean of fog, which rolled its white waves over the whole plain, and over the sea, by which it was bounded. Some difficulties were now to be encountered inseparable from darkness, a narrow, broken, pre and marshy path, and the necessity of serving union in the march. These, however, were less inconvenient to Highlanders, from their habits of life, than they would have been to any other troops, and they continued a steady and swift movement. As the clan of Ivor approached the firm ground, following the track of those who preceded them, the challenge of a patrole was heard through the mist, though they could not see the dragoon by whom is was made-"Who goes there?" "Hush," cried Fergus, "hush! Let none answer, as he values his life-Press forward;" and they continued their march with silence and rapidity.. . The patrole fired his carabine upon the body, and the report was instantly followed by the clang of his horse's feet as he galloped off. "Hylar in limine latrat," said the Baron of Bradwardine, who heard the shot; "that loon will give the alarm." The clan of Fergus had now gained the VOL. II. |