CHAPTER XVIII.

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 villageclock 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 pease-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 friend1 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 their 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 1 Note IV. - Anderson of Whitburgh.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE CONFLICT.

Waves Bangus Mac-Aver ond his friend had slept Jodoh so bons, they were awakened, and sam1 to attend the prince. The distant village. bak was beard to tell three as they hastened to the ad where he lay. He was already sounded principal officers and the chiefs of clans. A CE prxse-straw, which had been ately his

served for his seat. Jest as Fergus the circle, the constiltation had broken up. any brave friends," said the Chevalier, ch one put himself instantly at the head mand! A faithful friend has offered to

s by a practicable, though narrow and cirLatours, mote, which, sweeping to our right trayTres the locken ground and morse, and enables us to gain the first and open plain upon which "the enemy one lying. This difficulty surmounted, Heaven and your good swords must do the rest."

The proposal spread unanimous joy, and each Teader hastened to get his men into order with as little noise as possible. The army, moving by their right from off the ground on which they had rested, soon entered the path through the morass, conducting their match with astonishing silence and eat rapidity. The mist had not risen to the Anderson of Whitburgh.