Bruce and his knights hastily armed, and mounting their horses rode to meet the enemy.
There was no time to form ranks or to make any order of battle.
Archie sprang to his horse.

He bade his lieutenants form the men into a compact body and move forward, keeping the king's banner ever in sight, and to cut their way to it whenever they saw it was in danger.

Then, followed by his two mounted squires, he rode after the king.

The contest of Methven can scarce be called a battle, for the Scots were defeated before it began.

Many, as has been said, were away; great numbers of footmen instantly took flight and dispersed in all directions.