Suddenly  a  hundred  trumpets  sounded  from  the
English  line,  followed  by  a  rush  like  thunder,  and  a
discharge  of  arrows  so  thick,  so  close,  the  very  air
was  darkened.  Onward,  in  full  career  against  Ed-
ward Bruce's  left  wing,  the  Earls  of  Hereford  and
Gloucester  rushed ;  but  one  glance  sufficed  to  prove
somewhat  had  chanced  to  discompose  their  steady
union,  and  that  they  had  rushed  forward  to  the  charge
with  infinitely  more  of  rivalship  than  order.  Again
and  yet  again  they  strove  to  penetrate  the  solid  ranks
of   the  Scottish    spearmen;  horses  rolled   on  the


NUMBER   TWENTY-FOUR  135

earth,  flung  headlong  back  by  the  massive  spears^
leaving  their  masters,  often  un wounded,  to  the  mercy
of  their  ^  foes.  Fiercely  and  valiantly  the  earls
struggled  to  retrieve  their  first  error,  and  restore  order
to  their  men-at-arms.  Indignant,  almost  enraged,
Gloucester  fought  like  a  young  lion,  and  little  did  his
enemies  imagine  the  youthful  knight,  whose  mighty
efforts  excited  even  their  admiration,  was  the  very
noble  for  whose  safety  their  monarch  was  so  anxious,
that  almost  his  last  command  had  been  to  spare  the
Earl  of  Gloucester.
