Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 4 - 1819.djvu/155

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A LEGEND OF MONTROSE.
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themselves on the brow of the precipice, with wild cries and vindictive gestures, endeavoured to impress on their enemies a sense at once of their courage, their numbers, and their state of defence. Even Captain Dalgetty's military prudence did not prevent his rising up and calling out to Ranald more loud than prudence warranted, "Carocco, comrade, as the Spaniard says! The long bow for ever! In my poor apprehension now, were you to order a file to advance and take position——"

"The Sassenach!" cried a voice from beneath, "mark the Sassenach sidier! I see the glitter of his breast-plate." At the same time three muskets were discharged; and while one ball rattled against the corslet of proof, to the strength of which our valiant Captain had been more than once indebted for his life, another penetrated the armour which covered the front of his left thigh, and stretched him on the ground. Ranald instantly seized him in his arms and bore him back from the edge of the precipice, while he