So steep was the hill that the path was cut in solid rock
which rose almost precipitously on one side, while far below at
their feet rushed a rapid torrent. As the Sinclairs were marching
along through this rocky gorge a tremendous fire was opened upon
them from the pine forests above, while huge rocks and stones came
bounding down the precipice.
"The Sinclairs strove in vain to climb the mountainside and get
at their foes. It was impossible, and they were simply slaughtered
where they stood, only one man of the whole regiment escaping to
tell the story."
"That was a terrible massacre indeed," Malcolm said. "I have read
of a good many surprises and slaughters in our Scottish history,
but never of such complete destruction as that only one man out of
900 should escape. And was the slaughter never avenged?"
"No," Munro replied. "We Scots would gladly march north and repay
these savage peasants for the massacre of our countrymen, but the
King of Sweden has had plenty of occupation for his Scotchmen in
his own wars. What with the Russians and the Poles and the Danes
his hands have been pretty full from that day to this, and indeed
an expedition against the Norsemen is one which would bring more
fatigue and labour than profit. The peasants would seek shelter in
their forests and mountains, and march as we would we should never
see them, save when they fell upon us with advantage in some defile.
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