CHAPTER XLVII

THE CONFLICT

When Fergus Mac-Ivor and his friend had slept for a few hours, they were awakened, and summoned to attend the Prince.  The distant village-clock was heard to toll three as they hastened to the place where he lay.  He was already surrounded by his principal officers and the chiefs of clans.  A bundle of peas-straw, which had been lately his couch, now served for his seat.  Just as Fergus reached the circle, the consultation had broken up.  ‘Courage, my brave friends!’ said the Chevalier, ’and each one put himself instantly at the head of his command; a faithful friend [See Note 26.] has offered to guide us by a practicable, though narrow and circuitous route, which, sweeping to our right, traverses the broken ground and morass, and enables us to gain the firm and open plain, upon which the enemy are lying.  This difficulty surmounted, Heaven and your good swords must do the rest.’

The proposal spread unanimous joy, and each leader hastened to get his men into order with as little noise as possible.  The army, moving by its right from off the ground on which they had rested, soon entered the path through the morass, conducting their march with astonishing silence and great rapidity.  The mist had not risen to the higher grounds, so that for some time they had the advantage of starlight.  But this was lost as the stars faded before approaching day, and the head of the marching column, continuing its descent, plunged as it were into the heavy ocean of fog, which rolled its white waves over the whole plain, and over the sea by which it was bounded.  Some difficulties were now to be encountered, inseparable from darkness,—­a narrow, broken, and marshy path, and the necessity of preserving union in the march.  These, however, were less inconvenient to Highlanders, from their habits of life, than they would have been to any other troops, and they continued a steady and swift movement.

As the clan of Ivor approached the firm ground, following the track of those who preceded them, the challenge of a patrol was heard through the mist, though they could not see the dragoon by whom it was made—­’Who goes there?’

‘Hush!’ cried Fergus, ’hush!—­Let none answer, as he values his life.—­Press forward!’ and they continued their march with silence and rapidity.

The patrol fired his carabine upon the body, and the report was instantly followed by the clang of his horse’s feet as he galloped off.  ‘HYLAX in LIMINE LATRAT,’ said the Baron of Bradwardine, who heard the shot; ‘that loon will give the alarm.’

The clan of Fergus had now gained the firm plain, which had lately borne a large crop of corn.  But the harvest was gathered in, and the expense was unbroken by tree, bush, or interruption of any kind.  The rest of the army were following fast, when they heard the drums of the enemy beat the general.  Surprise, however, had made no part of their plan, so they were not disconcerted by this intimation that the foe was upon his guard and prepared to receive them.  It only hastened their dispositions for the combat, which were very simple.