ere a man went down. But more and more of them
gathered about, threshing at him with their swords, some on horse and
some on foot, like boys killing wasps at the taking of a byke.

Then when Richard Cameron saw that he could do no more, and that all the
men were down that had followed him, his brother Michael also dying at
his feet, he swept his sword every way about him to clear a space for a
moment. Then he swung the brand over his head high in the air, casting
it from him into the sky, till it seemed to enter into the dark cloud
where the thunder brooded and the smoke of powder hung.

"God of battles, receive my sinful soul!" he cried.

And with that he joined his hands like a man that dives for swimming;
and, unwounded, unhurt, yet fighting to the last, Richard Cameron sprang
upon a hundred sword-points. Thus died the bravest man in broad
Scotland, whom men called, and called well, the Lion of the Covenant.

And, even as he passed, the heavens opened, and the whole firmament
seemed but one lightning-flash, so that all stood aghast at the
marvellous brightness. Which occasioned the saying that God sent a
chariot of fire with horses of whiteness to bring home to Him the soul
of Richard Cameron. Whereof some men bear testimony that they saw; but
indeed I saw nothing but a wondrous lightning-flash over the whole
heaven. Then, a moment after, the thunder crashed like the breaking up
of the world, and there was an end.

CHAPTER XXVI.

HIDING WITH THE HEATHER-CAT.

As for me, when I had seen this, thinking it to be enough, I put spurs
to my little Galloway, and we were soon at speed over the moss-hags. My
beast was well acquainted with moss running, for it had not carried me
so often over the moor to Lochinvar for nothing. I heard tempestuous
crying, as of men that pursued, and, strangely and suddenly, behind me
the roar of battle sank into silence. Once I glanced back and saw many
footmen running and horsemen rising and falling in their saddles. But,
all being lost, I left the field of Ayrsmoss behind me as fast as I
might, and set my horse's head over the roughest and boggiest country,
keeping toward Dalmellington, for the wilderness was now to be my home.
For the time I had had enough of rebellion under arms. I was not
unfaithful to the cause, nor did I regret what I had done. But I judged
that, for some time to come, it were better for me not to see company,
for I had no pleasure in it.

Now, in furthe