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man, the gallant Sarsfield. Mackay sent out a small partyunder a lieutenant named Campbell, to procure horses forthe baggage. Campbell found what he wanted at Wincanton,and was just leaving that town on his return, when a strongdetachment of Sarsfield’s troops approached. The Irish werefour to one: but Campbell resolved to fight it out to the last.With a handful of resolute men he took his stand in the road.The rest of his soldiers lined the hedges which overhung thehighway on the right and on the left. The enemy came up.“Stand,” cried Campbell: “for whom are you?” “I am forKing James,” answered the leader of the other party. “AndI for the Prince of Orange,” cried Campbell. “We willprince you,” answered the Irishman with a curse. “Fire!”exclaimed Campbell; and a sharp fire was instantly pouredin from both the hedges. The King’s troops received threewell aimed volleys before they could make any return. Atlength they succeeded in carrying one of the hedges; andwould have overpowered the little band which was opposed tothem, had not the country people, who mortally hated theIrish, given a false alarm that more of the Prince’s troopswere coming up. Sarsfield recalled his men and fell back;and Campbell proceeded on his march unmolested with thebaggage horses. This affair, creditable undoubtedly to thevalour and discipline of the Prince’s army was magnified byreport into a victory won against great odds by British Pro-testants over Popish barbarians who had been brought fromConnaught to oppress our island.*

A few hours after this skirmish an event took place whichput an end to all risk of a more serious struggle between thearmies. Churchill and some of his principal accomplices wereassembled at Salisbury. Two of the conspirators, Kirke andTrelawney, had proceeded to Warminster, where their regi-ments wore posted. All was ripe for the execution of the longmeditated treason.

Churchill advised the King to visit Warminster, and to in-spect the troops stationed there. James assented; and his

* 'Whittle’s Diary; History of the Desertion; Lultreil’s Diary.

CHAP.

ix._

"Tsss.