saddle as long as you can. See,
yonder seems to be the headquarters of the camp. We will report our
arrival, and then see to breakfast."

"Ay--I'll be thankfu' for a bite o' somethin', for I'm fair famished;
an' there's a proverb, I think, that says it's ill fechtin' on an emp'y
stammack. It seems to me there's less order an' mair noise yonder than
befits a camp o' serious men--specially on a Sabbath mornin'."

"The same thought occurred to myself," said Wallace. "Perhaps they have
commenced the services, for you know there are several ministers among
them."

"Mair like disputation than services," returned the farmer with a grave
shake of his head.

Finding that Andrew was correct, and that the leaders of the little army
were wasting the precious moments in irrelevant controversy, the
Edinburgh contingent turned aside and set about preparing a hasty
breakfast. This reinforcement included Quentin Dick, Jock Bruce, David
Spence, and Ramblin' Peter; also Tam Chanter, Edward Gordon, and
Alexander McCubine, who had been picked up on the march.

Of course, while breaking their fast they discussed the _pros_ and
_cons_ of the situation freely.

"If the King's troops are as near as they are reported to be," said
Wallace, "our chances of victory are small."

"I fear ye're richt," said Black. "It becomes Ignorance to haud its
tongue in the presence o' Knowledge, nae doot--an' I confess to bein' as
ignorant as a bairn o' the art o' war; but common sense seems to say
that haverin' aboot theology on the eve o' a fecht is no sae wise-like
as disposin' yer men to advantage. The very craws might be ashamed o'
sic a noise!"

Even while he spoke a cry was raised that the enemy was in sight; and
the confusion that prevailed before became redoubled as the necessity
for instant action arose. In the midst of it, however, a few among the
more sedate and cool-headed leaders did their best to reduce the little
army to something like order, and put it in battle array. There was no
lack of personal courage. Men who had, for the sake of righteousness,
suffered the loss of all things, and had carried their lives in their
hands for so many years, were not likely to present a timid front in the
hour of battle. And leaders such as John Nisbet of Hardhill, one of the
most interesting sufferers in the twenty-eight years' persecution;
Clelland, who had fought with distinguished courage at Drumclog; Henry
Hall of Haughhead; David Hac