That nobleman immediately pointed out to his men the waving
colors of the Southron host, as it approached beneath the overhanging
woods of Hawthorndean. He exhorted them, by their fathers, wives, and
children, to breast the enemy at this spot; to grapple with him till he
fell. "Scotland," cried he, "is lost or won, this day. You are
freemen or slaves; your families are your own, or the property of
tyrants! Fight stoutly, and God will yield you an invisible support."
**The Red Cummin was an attributive appellation of John, the last
regent before the accession of Bruce. His father, the princely Earl of
Badenoch, was called the Black Cummin.
The Scots answered their general by a shout, and calling on him to lead
them forward, Ruthven placed himself, with the regent and Fraser, in
the van, and led the charge. Little expecting an assault from an
adversary they had so lately driven off the field, the Southrons were
taken by surprise. But they fought well, and resolutely stood their
ground till Wallace and Bruce, who commanded the flanking divisions,
closed in upon them with an impetuosity that drove Confrey's division
into the river.
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