who were then bravely fighting near him, and whom he was ordered to support, had no officer to head them; upon which he said eagerly, in the hearing of the person from whom I had this account, “These brave fellows will be cut to pieces for want of a commander,” or words to that effect; which while he was speaking, he rode up to them and cried out, “Fire on, my lads, and fear nothing.”  But just as the words were out of his mouth, a Highlander advanced towards him with a scythe fastened to a long pole, with which he gave him so dreadful a wound on his right arm, that his sword dropped out of his hand; and at the same time several others coming about him while he was thus dreadfully entangled with that cruel weapon, he was dragged off from his horse.  The moment he fell, another Highlander, who, if the king’s evidence at Carlisle may be credited (as I know not why they should not, though the unhappy creature died denying it), was one Mac-Naught, who was executed about a year after, gave him a stroke either with a broadsword or a Lochaber-axe (for my informant could not exactly distinguish) on the hinder part of his head, which was the mortal blow.  All that his faithful attendant saw further at this time was, that, as his hat was falling off, he took it in his left hand, and waved it as a signal to him to retreat, and added what were the last words he ever heard him speak, “Take care of yourself,” upon which the servant retired.’—­Some remarkable passages in the life of colonel James Gardiner, by P. Doddridge, D.D., London, 1747, p. 187.

I may remark on this extract, that it confirms the account given in the text of the resistance offered by some of the English infantry.  Surprised by a force of a peculiar and unusual description, their opposition could not be long or formidable, especially as they were deserted by the cavalry, and those who undertook to manage the artillery.  But although the affair was soon decided, I have always understood that many of the infantry showed an inclination to do their duty.

NOTE 28.-THE LAIRD OF BALMAWHAPPLE

It is scarcely necessary to say that the character of this brutal young Laird is entirely imaginary.  A gentleman, however, who resembled Balmawhapple in the article of courage only, fell at Preston in the manner described.  A Perthshire gentleman of high honour and respectability, one of the handful of cavalry who followed the fortunes of Charles Edward, pursued the fugitive dragoons almost alone till near St. Clement’s Wells, where the efforts of some of the officers had prevailed on a few of them to make a momentary stand.  Perceiving at this moment that they were pursued by only one man and a couple of servants, they turned upon him and cut him down with their swords.  I remember, when a child, sitting on his grave, where the grass long grew rank and green, distinguishing it from the rest of the field.  A female of the family then residing at St. Clement’s Wells used to tell me the tragedy, of which she had been an eye-witness, and showed me in evidence one of the silver clasps of the unfortunate gentleman’s waistcoat.