He then loudly called to his equery: "Ho! Malcolm, bring Fergus from the rere!" While on the instant the equerry advanced, bringing a noble Hanoverian charger of a beautiful cream colour, who loudly snorted, neighed, and proudly pawed the ground. The stately animal was ready caparisoned for the field.
The colonel next took a ring from off his finger; it was an antique cameo, exquisitely sculptured; the gem was a ruby of immense value; the subject was the genius of Victory crowning Hercules.
"This," said the colonel, "you must permit me to place on your hand, as an humble mark of my esteem and admiration of the brave who belong to every country. This and my trusty charger are the gages for the fulfilment of my promise."
"In return," replied the duke, "noble and generous stranger," at the same moment taking from out his bosom a diamond star, which was appended to a chain of gold, "receive this diamond star!" And flinging it with much grace around the colonel's neck, he added: "Wear this for sake of me! This morning it was given me by my king, who commanded me to place it around the bravest neck and the boldest heart I should this day meet in the field."
"Then," rejoined the stranger, "you should have reserved it for your own, and have allowed it to remain; for where it was placed it best became!"
"Not so, gallant Sir," resumed the duke, "my beloved sovereign's mandates I have now faithfully fulfilled."
Here the bugles of the contending squadrons pealed forth "a recall," and the duke of Tyrconnel and the Colonel of the Brandenburghers parted, highly and mutually pleased, and earnestly hoping yet to meet. Having warmly shaken hands, the duke adroitly vaulted on the Hanoverian steed—it was the third which he had mounted on that bloody day! And when both were on horseback, they once more cordially shook hands, while each with much regret bade the other adieu!
Throughout this momentous battle Tyrconnel had performed prodigies of valour: he was every where to be seen, every where to be heard; his rallying voice and look remonstrating with and encouraging the timid and wavering, while gallantly he led on the brave to the charge. During this deadly fight he lost three horses, which were shot beneath him, as has been already mentioned. But still undismayed, he each time returned to the charge; and if the crown of King James possibly could have been preserved by the talents, loyalty, affection, and invincible courage of an individual, it would have been fully secured by the firmness and fidelity of Tyrconnel.
——————"Si Pergama dextrâ
Defendi possent, etiam hâc defensa fuissent!"