In sooth, that scene was fair, and many a yearning glance was cast over that peaceful evening scene from the spot where the rebels awaited their defeat; and when the fight was over, many a noble fellow lifted his head from the blood-stained heather to strive with darkening eyeballs to behold that landscape, over which, as over his life and his cause, the shadows of night and of gloom were falling and thickening.
It was while waiting on this spot that the fear-inspiring cry was raised: 'The enemy! Here come the enemy!' Unwilling to believe their own doom--for our insurgents still hoped for success in some negotiations for peace which had been carried on at Colinton--they called out, 'They are some of our own.' 'They are too blacke' (_i.e._ numerous), 'fie! fie! for ground to draw up on,' cried Wallace, fully realising the want of space for his men, and proving that it was not till after this time that his forces were finally arranged.

{101a} First of all the battle was commenced by fifty Royalist horse sent obliquely across the hill to attack the left wing of the rebels.

An equal number of Learmont's men met them, and, after a struggle, drove them back.

The course of the Rullion Burn prevented almost all pursuit, and Wallace, on perceiving it, dispatched a body of foot to occupy both the burn and some ruined sheep-walls on the farther side.
Dalzell changed his position, and drew up his army at the foot of the hill, on the top of which were his foes.

He then dispatched a mingled body of infantry and cavalry to attack Wallace's outpost, but they also were driven back.