me than the description of them can
be written, or than it can be read. The Colonel was for a few moments
supported by his men, and particularly by that worthy person
Lieutenant-Colonel Whitney, who was shot through the arm here, and a few
months after fell nobly at the battle of Falkirk, and by Lieutenant West,
a man of distinguished bravery, as also by about fifteen dragoons, who
stood by him to the last. But after a faint fire, the regiment in general
was seized with a panic; and though their Colonel and some other gallant
officers did what they could to rally them once or twice, they at last
took a precipitate flight. And just in the moment when Colonel Gardiner
seemed to be making a pause to deliberate what duty required him to do in
such circumstances, an accident happened, which must, I think, in the
judgment of every worthy and generous man, be allowed a sufficient
apology for exposing his life to so great hazard, when his regiment had
left him. He saw a party of the foot, who were then bravely fighting near
him, and whom he was ordered to support, had no officer to head them;
upon which he said eagerly, in the hearing of the person from whom I had
this account, "These brave fellows will be cut to pieces for want of a
commander," or words to that effect; which while he was speaking he rode
up to them and cried out, "Fire on, my lads, and fear nothing." But just
as the words were out of his mouth, a Highlander advanced towards him
with a scythe fastened to a long pole, with which he gave him so dreadful
a wound on his right arm, that his sword dropped out of his hand; and at
the same time several others coming about him while he was thus
dreadfully entangled with that cruel weapon, he was dragged off from his
horse. The moment he fell, another Highlander, who, if the king's
evidence at Carlisle may be credited (as I know not why they should not,
though the unhappy creature died denying it), was one Mac-Naught, who was
executed about a year after, gave him a stroke either with a broadsword
or a Lochaber-axe (for my informant could not exactly distinguish) on the
hinder part of his head, which was the mortal blow. All that his faithful
attendant saw farther at this time was that, as his hat was fallen off,
he took it in his left hand and waved it as a signal to him to retreat,
and added, what were the last words he ever heard him speak, "Take care
of yourself"; upon which the servant retired.'--Some Remarkable Passage