lamation issued
out, wherein was a reward offered of 10,000 merks to any who could
inform of or apprehend him, or any of those concerned in the death of
the arch-bishop of St. Andrews. Upon this and the proclamation after
Bothwel, he was obliged to retire out of the way for about a year's
space. In which time he did not neglect to attend the gospel in the
fields, where-ever he could have it faithfully dispensed. But this
pious gentleman, having run fast and done much in a little time, it
could not be expected he should continue long, and upon the 22d of July
1680, having been with that little party a few days, who attended Mr.
Richard Cameron at Airs-moss, they were surprized by Bruce of
Earls-hall, Airly's troop and Strahan's dragoons.

Here, being commander in chief of that little band, and seeing the enemy
approaching fast, he rode off to seek some strength of ground for their
better advantage, and the rest followed; but seeing they could go no
further, they turned back, and drew up quickly. Eight horse on the
right, and fifteen on the left; and the foot who were but ill armed in
the middle. He then asked, If they were all willing to fight? They all
answered, They were. Both armies advanced, and a strong party of the
enemies horse coming hard upon them, their horse fired, killed and
wounded severals of them, both horse and foot; after which they advanced
to the enemies very faces, when, after giving and receiving fire,
valiant Hackston being in the front, finding the horse behind him broke,
rode in among them, and out at a side, without any damage; but being
assaulted by severals with whom he fought a long time, they following
him and he them by turns, until he stuck in a bog, and the foremost of
them, one Ramsay, one of his acquaintance, who followed him in, and they
being on foot, fought with small swords, without much advantage on
either side. But at length closing, he was struck down by three on
horseback behind him; and falling after he had received three sore
wounds on the head, they saved his life, which he submitted to. He was,
with the rest of the prisoners, carried to the rear, where they gave
them all a testimony[177] of brave resolute men. After this he was
brought to Douglas, and from thence to Lanerk, where Dalziel threatened
to roast him for not satisfying him with answers. After which he and
other three prisoners were taken to Edinburgh, where, by order of the
council, they were received by the magist