History and traditions of the land of the Lindsays in Angus and Mearns

FEIINE — THE RAID OF SAUGHS. 211
The place was a perfect wilderness — a boundless expanse of
moss and moor — intersected by natural cairns of flinty rocks
and the rugged channels of rivulets, without the remotest sign
of shelter. By wary steps, the Feme men succeeded in reaching
within a hundred yards of the freebooters, who thought that a
few sharp and aimless shots would frighten them away. This
they were the more convinced of, since one of the party, throw-
ing his " lang gun" from him, fled from the contest; but
the main body remaining firm, the leader of the herschip
stept forward and ironically requested to know, Which of them
was the leader ? Macintosh boldly acknowledged the honour ;
and the Cateran's doubts being set at rest on that particular,
it was mutually agreed to determine the matter by single
combat. The chief, smiling, no doubt, at the idea of Macintosh's
boldness, pictured the misery and death which were likely to
follow a pitched engagement, and playfully cutting two or
three buttons from the breast of the young fanner's coat with
the blade of his sword — telling him at same time that he could
as easily deprive him of life, as take away those trifling append-
ages — he urged the propriety of the pursuers retiring in peace.
Matters remained in this undecided state for some time ; but,
either wilfully or accidentally, some of the Cateran fired, and the
ball taking effect, killed one of the Feme men. This was the
signal for a general onset, and the chief and Macintosh closed in
desperate and deadly combat, as did the rest ; and the powerful
hand of the Cateran, though resisted with wonderful tact by his
unequal opponent, would soon have prevailed, but for the assist-
ance of James Winter, who ran to the aid of Macintosh, and
stealing behind the chief, hamstrung him unawares, and brought
him to the ground, when, like brave Witherington of Chevy
Chase, and fair Lilliard of Ancrum,
" his leggs being smitten off,
He fought upon his stumps !"
Fully aware of the defenceless state in which he lay, the
wounded chieftain made several desperate aims at Macintosh,
(for by this time Winter had been re-assailed), but all attempts to
mow Macintosh down having failed, and the Cateran's sword
breaking on a stone, he solicited, as a dying request, that Macin-
tosh would bid him farewell. This was frankly assented to, and