who
went off wounded upwards of a hundred at least were left on the spot,
among whom was Colonel Honeywood, who commanded the dismounted cavalrie,
whose sabre, of considerable value, Mons. de Cluny brought off and still
preserves; and his tribe lykeways brought off many arms;--the Colonel
was afterwards taken up, and, his wounds being dress'd, with great
difficultie recovered. Mons. de Cluny lost only in the action twelve
men, of whom some haveing been only wounded, fell afterwards into the
hands of the enemy, and were sent as slaves to America, whence several
of them returned, and one of them is now in France, a serjeant in the
Regiment of Royal Scots. How soon the accounts of the enemie's approach
had reached the Prince, H. R. H. had immediately ordered Mi-Lord le
Comte de Nairne, Brigadier, who, being proscribed, is now in France,
with the three batalions of the Duke of Athol, the batalion of the Duke
of Perth, and some other troups under his command, in order to support
Cluny, and to bring off the artilirie. But the action was intirely over
before the Comte de Nairne, with his command, cou'd reach nigh to the
place. They therefore return'd all to Penrith, and the artilirie marched
up in good order. Nor did the Duke of Comberland ever afterwards dare to
come within a day's march of the Prince and his army dureing the course
of all that retreat, which was conducted with great prudence and safety,
when in some manner surrounded by enemies.'

NOTE 33.--THE OATH UPON THE DIRK

As the heathen deities contracted an indelible obligation if they swore
by Styx, the Scottish Highlanders had usually some peculiar solemnity
attached to an oath which they intended should be binding on them. Very
frequently it consisted in laying their hand, as they swore, on their
own drawn dirk; which dagger, becoming a party to the transaction, was
invoked to punish any breach of faith. But, by whatever ritual the oath
was sanctioned, the party was extremely desirous to keep secret what the
especial oath was, which he considered as irrevocable. This was a matter
of great convenience, as he felt no scruple in breaking his asseveration
when made in any other form than that which he accounted as peculiarly
solemn; and therefore readily granted any engagement which bound him
no longer than he inclined. Whereas, if the oath which he accounted
inviolable was once publicly known, no party with whom he might have
occasion to contract, would have re