After nightfall the force approached the enemy’s camp; at the ford the infantry halted, the cavalry crossing and continuing their way to the camp, about a mile distant.  An hour passed without any sound being heard.  At length a sound of distant shouts, mingled with the reports of firearms, fell upon the ear.

“Macleod is among them now,” Donald Leslie exclaimed.  “I would I wore with him.”

“You will have your turn presently,” Harry replied.  “A thousand horse may do a good deal of damage in a sudden attack, but they must fall back as soon as tis Roundheads rally.”

For five or six minutes the distant tumult continued.  Then it ceased almost as suddenly as it had begun.  A minute or two later there was a deep, muffled sound.

“Here come the horse,” Jacob said.

The infantry had already been placed along the bank of the river on each side of the ford, leaving the way clear in the center for the passage of the cavalry.  It was not long before they arrived on the opposite bank, and dashed at full speed across the river.  Colonel Macleod rode at their rear.

“The Ironsides are just behind,” he said to Harry.  “Let your men shoot sharp and straight as they try to cross.  We will charge them as they reach the bank.”

A minute later, and the close files of the Roundhead cavalry could be seen approaching, the moonlight glinting on steel cap, breastpiece, and sword.

“Steady, lads!” Harry shouted.  “Do not fire a shot till they enter the river.  Then keep up a steady fire on the head of the column.”

The Roundheads halted when they reached the river, and formed rapidly into a column, twelve abreast, for the ford was no wider.  As they entered the stream a heavy musketry fire opened suddenly upon them.  Men and horses went down, floating away in the river.  In spite of their losses the cavalry pressed on, and though numbers fell, gained the opposite bank.  Then arose the Royalist cry “King and Covenant!” and the Scottish horse swept down.  The head of the column was shattered by the charge, but the Ironsides still pressed on, and breaking the center of the Scottish horse, poured across the river.

Harry had already given his orders to Jacob, who commanded the left wing of the infantry, and the regiment, drawing up on both flanks of the column of Ironsides, poured so heavy a fire upon them, while the cavalry of Macleod again charged them in front, that the column was broken, and still fighting sturdily, fell back again across the river.  The moment they did so a heavy fire of musketry opened from the further bank.

“Their infantry are up, Colonel Furness,” Macleod said.  “Draw off your men in good order.  I will cover the retreat.  We have done enough for to-night.”

Getting his regiment together, Harry ordered them to retire at the double, keeping their formation as they went.  The Roundhead cavalry again crossed the river, and several times charged the Scotch horse.  Twice they succeeded in breaking through, but Harry, facing his men round, received them pike in hand, the musketeers in rear keeping up so hot a fire over the shoulders of the pikemen that the Ironsides drew rein before reaching them, and presently fell back, leaving the party to retire without further pursuit.