After observing them for some space of time, an orderly dragoon, sent
by the Duke of Argyle, rode up to the spot where the spectators stood,
warning them to remove from a position in which they were in as great
danger as the combatants themselves. My grandfather accordingly
returned home, listening with awe to the sharp report of musketry,
intermixed with the booming of cannon, which now informed him that the
battle had commenced. He had not been long in the house when a
dismounted dragoon made his appearance, requesting to have his left
wrist bandaged, so as to stop the blood. The hand had been cut off,
and his horse killed under him, and he was on his way to Stirling to
seek surgical aid. While his wishes were being complied with, he
occupied himself in taking some refreshment, till one of the
farm-servants came in and warned him that four armed Highlanders were
coming down the hill in the direction of the house. The soldier, who
had no doubt been taught at the Marlborough school, and served perhaps
at Ramillies and Blenheim, immediately went out to the front of the
house, which concealed him from his enemies. Presently, he heard by
the footsteps that one was near, when he instantly presented himself
at the gable, and shot the foremost Highlander with his carbine; then,
seeing that the others came on in Indian file, with short distances
between, he advanced to meet them, dropped the second with a bullet
from his pistol, and cut down the third with his sword.
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