I was in the midst of it, with ten of my kinsmen; and though
we all fought as became men, we were pressed back, and began to think
that the day would be lost.
"Then the young earl, furious at seeing disaster threaten him, dashed
into the midst of the English ranks, swinging his battle-axe and, for a
time, cutting a way for himself. But one man's strength and courage can
go for but little in such a fray. Some of his knights and squires had
followed him, but in the darkness it was but few who perceived his
advance.
"Presently three knights met him, and all their spears pierced him, and
he was borne from his horse, mortally wounded. Happily the English were
unaware that it was Douglas who had fallen. Had they known it, their
courage would have been mightily raised, and the day would assuredly
have been lost. We, too, were ignorant that Douglas had fallen, and
still fought on.
"In other parts of the field March and Moray were holding their own
bravely. Sir Ralph Percy, who had, like Douglas, charged almost alone
into Moray's ranks, was sorely wounded and, being surrounded,
surrendered to Sir John Maxwell. Elsewhere many captures were made by
both parties; but as the fight went on the advantage turned to our
side; for we had rested all the day before, and began the battle fresh,
after some hours of sleep; while the English had marched eight leagues,
and were weary when they began the fight.
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