Scottish ranks, borne back by the slow advance of the hedge of spears, harassed by the archers who dived below the horses, stabbing them in their bellies, or rising suddenly between them to smite down the riders with their keen, heavy, short handled axes, the English began to lose heart, and as they wavered the Scotch pressed forward more eagerly, shouting, “On them! on them!  They give way! they give way!”

At this critical moment the servants, teamsters, and camp followers who had been left behind Gillies Hill, showed themselves.  Some of their number from the eminence had watched the desperate struggle, and on hearing how their soldiers were pressed by the surrounding host of English men-at-arms they could no longer remain inactive.  All men carried arms in those days.  They hastily chose one of their own number as leader, and fastening some sheets to tent poles as banners, they advanced over the hill in battle array, and moved down to join their comrades.  The sight of what theydeemed a fresh division advancing to the assistance of the Scotch brought to a climax the hesitation which had begun to shake the English, and ensured their discomfiture.  Those in rear turned bridle hastily, and crossing the Bannock Burn, galloped away.  The movement so begun spread rapidly, and although those in front still continued their desperate efforts to break the line of Scottish spears, the day was now hopelessly lost.  Seeing that this was so, the Earl of Pembroke seized the king’s rein and constrained him to leave the field with a bodyguard of 500 horse.  Sir Giles de Argentine, who had hitherto remained by the king’s side, and who was esteemed the third best knight in Europe —­ the Emperor Henry of Luxemberg and Robert Bruce being reckoned the two best —­ bade farewell to the king as he rode off.

“Farewell, sire,” he said, “since you must go, but I at least must return; I have never yet fled from an enemy, and will remain and die rather than fly and live in disgrace.”

So saying, the knight spurred down to the conflict, and charged against the array of Edward Bruce, and there fell fighting valiantly.  The flight of the king and his attendants was the signal for a general rout.  Great numbers were slain, many men were drowned in the Forth, and the channel of the Bannock was so choked with the bodies of dead men and horses that one could pass over dry shod.  The scattered parties of English were still so numerous that Bruce held his men well in hand until these had yielded themselves prisoners.  Douglas was charged to pursue the king, but he could only muster sixty horsemen.  A short distance from the field he met a Scottish baron, Sir Laurence Abernethy, with twenty-four men-at-arms, on his way to join the English, for even as yet but few of the Scottish nobles were on the side of the king.  Upon hearing what had happened, Sir Laurence, with the easy facility which distinguished the Scottish nobles of the period, at once changed sides, swore