THE HEIGHTS OF ALBUERA. THE CROSS OF SANTIAGO.
"Come away, come away,
Hark to the summons!
Come in your war array,
Gentles and commons.
"Come every hill-plaid, and
True heart that wears one;
Come every steel blade, and
Strong hand that bears one."
Pibroch of Donuildhu.
On the night of the 11th, or rather the morning of the 12th of June, Ronald was awakened from sleep by an officer, who occupied the same billet, entering his chamber half dressed.
"Rouse, Stuart," said he; "something strange has happened. There is a noise and bustle over the whole town."
"I have heard nothing yet, Kennedy," answered the other, springing out of bed, and with military instinct donning his regimentals hastily in the dark. "You have aroused me from the most pleasant nap I have enjoyed for these six months past."
"Hark! there go the pipes."
"'Tis not the turn-out. What can be the matter? 'tis still two hours from day-break. We shall be roughing it again with D'Erlon or Drouet, I suppose."
"The pipes have ceased," said Kennedy, throwing open the casement, where the voices of the musicians were heard engaged in a quarrel.
"Plaw the warning, Hector Macfarlane, you very great sumph!" exclaimed Macdonuil-dhu, the piper-major, in great wrath. "Was it Hoggil nam Bo,—the pibroch of your ain mushroom name, I desired you to plaw?"
"Oich, prut trut!" replied Macfarlane fiercely. "I do suppose tat ta lads o' Lochsluai are as good and as pretty men, and bear as auld a name, as ony Macdonald o' the Isles. Diaoul!"