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said the undaunted Paton--'With the General's permission, I shall try to save some of our wretched men beset by those hell-hounds. Who will go?-At Kilsyth I saw service. When deserted by my troops, I cut any way through Montrose's men, and reached the spot where Colonels Halket and Strachan were. We left the field together. Fifteen dragoons attacked us. We cut down thirteen, and two fled. Thirteen next assailed us. We left ten on the field, and three fled. Eleven Highlanders next met us. We paused and cheered each other: 'Now, Johnny,' cried Halket to me, 'put forth your metal, else we are gone,' nine others we sent after their comrades, and two fled———Now, who will join this raid!'[1] 'I will be your leader,' said Sir Robert, as we fell into the ranks.
We marched on the enemy's flank. 'Yonder is Clavers,' said Paton, while he directed his courser on him. The bloody man was, at that moment, nearly alone, hacking to pieces some poor fellows already on their knecs disarmed, and imploring him by the common feelings of humanity to spare their lives. He had just finished his usual oath against their 'feelings of humanity,' when Paton presented himself: He instantly let go his prey and slunk back into the midst of his troopers. Having formed them, he advanced. We formed, and made a furious onset. At our first charge his troop reeled. Clavers was dismounted. But at that moment Dalzell assailed us on the flank and rear.--Our men fell around us like grass before the mower. The buglemen sounded a retreat. Once more in the mele I fell in with the General and Paton, we were covered with wounds. We directed our flight in the rear of our broken troops. By the direction of the General I
- ↑ This chivalrous defence is recorded, I find, in the life of Captain Paton, in the 'Scots Wcrthics,' Edin. edit. of A. D. 1812. This celebrated Officer was trained up to warfare in the army of Charles Gustavus, King of Sweden. This is a specimen of these heroic Whigs, who brought about the Revolution of A. D. 1688.
