ame two at me from opposite
sides; and I saw very well that, if I got no help, there was no more of
life for me. "Richard!" I cried, and the shout must have gone to our
leader's ear, though I myself could not hear it, so great was the
clangour and the din.

Cameron had been smiting with the strength of ten immediately on my
front. In a moment more he cleared his point, pierced his man, and
turned. The man on my left swerved his horse out of his way, for Cameron
came with a surge. But the other, whom I took to be Crichton, met him
fair, blade to blade. The first clash of the swords was mighty. These
two lowering black men met and knew each other, soon as they looked one
another in the eyes.

But I could see that Cameron was ever the stronger and swifter, though
Crichton had somewhat the more skill. Crichton tried to pass him a
little, that he might get arm-play for his famous back-strokes,
wherewith he was renowned to have cut off a man's head at a blow; but
Cameron measured his guard and the blow whistled harmless past his ear.
Then came the return. The preacher's sword streaked it out straight and
level, and for a moment seemed to stand full mid-blade in the dragoon's
side.

The next moment we too found ourselves outside their first line. We had
broken our way through, and the enemy were in confusion behind us. I saw
many single combats going forward, and in especial a most noble fight
between David Hackstoun of Rathillet and one of his own acquaintances,
by name David Ramsay, a gentleman of his country. As they fought I could
hear Hackstoun, whom nothing could daunt or disturb, asking Ramsay all
the news of the country-side, and how such a one did, what wife had
gotten another child and whether it were a lad or a lass. Which is a
thing I should never have believed if any man had told me. And when I
set it down here I expect not to be believed of any, save by those who
have been in the thick of a civil war themselves. But all that knew
David Hackstoun of Rathillet will believe that this thing is true of
him.

So he fought, clashing swords and talking at his ease, without change of
countenance, till he was stricken down with three coming on him at once
from behind.

Then, seeing our horsemen scattered, Cameron cried them to him, and we
galloped towards their second line that came riding unbroken towards us.
Now it was our misfortune that the dragoons were stark fellows and had
seen service, so that they gave not