Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

heath that make up the bosom of the valley on the
other. The watchmen are stationed as usual. Mr.
Douglas is just beginning his sermon when a
signal-gun is heard. Claverhouse and his dragoons
are advancing.
The worshippers sit still, but the armed men
step out from the others and put themselves in
order of battle. They are but a small hosts -- fifty
horsemen, fifty foot with muskets, and a hundred
and fifty armed with halberds, forks, and similar
weapons. Sir Robert Hamilton took the command,
and was supported by Colonel Cleland, Balfour of
Burley, and Hackston of Rathilet. Their step was
firm as, singing the Seventy-sixth Psalm to the tune
of "Martyrs" they advanced to meet the enemy.
They met him at the Morass of Drumclog. The first
mutual volley left the Covenanters untouched, but
when the smoke had rolled away it was seen that
there were not a few empty saddles in
Claverhouse's cavalry.
Plunging into the moss, trooper and Covenanter
grappled hand to hand with each other; but the
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