Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-05-12


A. every stroke of the tremendous engine ne
whirled, whole ranks of the English were ever
led before him, like grass by the scythe OF inc
mower: and he strobe over the dead and dying,
down broad lane cleared through the oenses'
bat,alions that were opposed to him Terror
s,ized upon the English, and they began 10 g's
back before him. On he rushed after their re-
eedins eteps, reapIng a wide and terrible mar
vest Of death, and strewing the plain with the
victims Of his matches courage and bercu-
lean strength. From time 10 time ne was hard'
" o2posed few minutes by small bodies oil the
enemy that got together to meet the coming
storm, unconscious of its tremendous nature,
but his resis,ess arm bore away all before u,
until, encoun,ering column OF great dep'h
impenetrability, the hero was lranslXed d! no
less than three spears at once.
One entered his shoulder between the plates
of his epauliere; another, striking on his breast
plate, glanced downwards, and pierced his bel
ly; and the third easily penetrated his thigh,
which in his haste had been left without the
cuisse For moment did the wounded Doug
las writhe desperately on the lance shafts, TO rid
himself Of their iron heads, which had so sud
denly arrested his destructive progress. But
late had decreed that his glorious career should
be terminated. He received severe blow
on the head; his muscles, so lately FULL OF
strength and energy Of volition, now refused TO
obey his will, and he sank 10 the ground, borne
down by those who had wounded him, and who
knew not how noble and precious that lies
blood was, 20 which they had opened so many
yawning passages OF escape.
His brolher.in.law. Sir David Lindsay, and
John and Walter Sanlclairs, ever the tried
friends of the Douglas, and few others who
had been fighting along with him before he had
thus plunged from their sight into the midst OF
his foes, took advantage OF the terror which his
onset had occasioned, and followed bravely in
his course until accident led them to TALL III with
tne stream OF victorious Scots who were pour
ing EDWARDS under the triumphant Htpbornes.
Recognizing each other, and joining together
with loud cheers, they swept away all that ven
tured to oppose them. They had cleared the
plain ground of the enemy for several bow
shots before them, the English baltalions had
been thinned and dispersed over The ground,
and the Scottish troops were urging after them
without order, when Sir Patrick Hepborne the
younger, with Lindsay and the Sainlclairs, VINO
were pushing for" d together saw before them
the brave and good Richard Luncr, sorey
wounded, yet boldly bestriding the body OF d
warrior and dealing death with batlle-axe to
every Engltshman who ventured to. approach
within his circle. Those who still coniended
with him quickly hrd a, their approach, and
inen 10 their great grief they discovered that
i, was the noble Douglas who lay weltering IN
4 his blood He had not fallen alone, for his
faithful psquires, Simon Giendinning and Ro-
| bert Hart, lay near him, covered with mortal
wounds, and alrr ady Ilfcless. surrounded by
too trsnsbmft 1f9hfnGaaqd a9 96n ne:
las, faithful to tn" trust rrpnsrd in him, though
severely wounded and bleeding helplrssly on the
grass, still held his banner with the grasp of
death
"Hnw fares il with thee, Lord Douelass"
cried Sir John Saiulclair, overwhelmed with
| grief al the sad spectacle before him, and has
ttning 10 assist the Others in raising him up.
'Wel', right well, trow, my good friends"
replied Douglass feebly, "sreing that die thas.
like my ancestors, in the field Of fame But let
not the death Of Douglas br known, for a de ad
man may yet gain glorious field Hide me
then, pray thee, in yonder brake; let some one
rear my standard, the Jam,as Arriere OF the
Douglas, and let my war cry be set up, and
promise that We shall well revenge my death.
Douglas is carried off the ground and ad
dresses his attendants
Co. ,aid he family to them, "ye have done
all Tor thrDouglass that humanity or friendship
might require Of ye; CO. for Scotland lac keith the
aid OF your arms. Leave me ii it'll Lundie; it's
mreter for his hand to close the eyes Of his dy-
ing Lord"
The brave knights looked their last upon
aim, covered their eyes and stole silently away
from scene that entirely unnamed Them
l.undle took out a silver crucifx, and bending
over the Douglas. held it up under stream Of
moonlight, that broke downward, through an
opening in the thick foliage above them.
6 see it, LundIe," said Douglass; Z" see the
image of my blessed Redeemer My ,ins have
been many, but thou art already possessed of
hem all My soul doth fix herself on him. in
,lncere repentance, and in The strong hope of
mercy through his merits.'
The afftctio Lundie knelt by the Earps
,i1e, and whilst his own wounds bled copious.
y, his tears were dropping fast on his dying
master.
" know thine inmost heart, Lord Douglas %
,aid he, in aSoice oppressed by his grief ",hy
hopes OF heaven may indeed be strong Hast
hou a"gh' of worldly import to command me?"
Margaret" said Douglas, in voice scarce.
~ audible, "my dearest Margaret! Tell Moray
. forget not our last private converse: and do
han. ri a Il. sx.Il r