28

HISTOEY OF -ENGLAKD.

CIIAP.

XIII.

l(JS9.

Death ofDundee.

unwise as to allow him even that moment for deliberation.

■ They might with ease have killed or taken all who were withhim before the night closed in. But the energy of the Celticwarriors had spent itself in one furious rush and one shortstruggle. The pass was choked by the twelve hundred beastsof burden which carried the provisions and baggage of the van-quished army. Such a booty was irresistibly tempting to menwho were impelled to war quite as much by the desire of rapineas by the desire of glory. It is probable that few even of thechiefs were disposed to leave so rich a prize for the sake ofKing J ames. Dundee himself might at that moment have beenunable to persuade his followers to quit the heaps of spoil, andto complete the greatwork of the day; andDundeewasno more.

At the beginning of the action he had taken his place infront of his little band of cavalry. He bade them follow him,and rode forward. But it seemed to be decreed that, on thatday, the Lowland Scotch should in both armies appear to dis-advantage. The horse hesitated. Dundee turned round, stoodup in his stirrups, and, waving his hat, invited them to comeon. As he lifted his arm, his cuirass rose, and exposed thelower part of his left side. A musket ball struck him; his horsesprang forward and plunged info a cloud of smoke and dust,which hid from both armies the fall of the victorious general.A person named Johnstone was near him and caught him as hesank down from the saddle. “How goes the day?” saidDundee. “Well for King James;” answered Johnstone: “butI am sorry for Your Lordship.” “If it is well for him,” answeredthe dying man, “it matters the less for me.” He never spokeagain; but when, half an hour later, Lord Dunfermline andsome other friends came to the spot, they thought that theycould still discern some faint remains of life. The body, wrap-ped in two plaids, was carried to the Castle of Blah. *

* As to the battle, see Maokay'a Memoirs, Letters, and Short Eela-