The sergeant now
called to him, "Hamish Bean MacTavish, lay down your arms and
surrender."
"Do YOU stand, Allan Breack Cameron, and command your men to
stand, or it will be the worse for us all."
"Halt, men," said the sergeant, but continuing himself to
advance. "Hamish, think what you do, and give up your gun; you
may spill blood, but you cannot escape punishment."
"The scourge--the scourge--my son, beware the scourge!"
whispered his mother.
"Take heed, Allan Breack," said Hamish. "I would not hurt you
willingly, but I will not be taken unless you can assure me
against the Saxon lash."
"Fool!" answered Cameron, "you know I cannot. Yet I will do all
I can. I will say I met you on your return, and the punishment
will be light; but give up your musket--Come on, men."
Instantly he rushed forward, extending his arm as if to push
aside the young man's levelled firelock. Elspat exclaimed, "Now,
spare not your father's blood to defend your father's hearth!"
Hamish fired his piece, and Cameron dropped dead. All these
things happened, it might be said, in the same moment of time.
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