Munro's orders were to hold the town as long as he could, and
afterwards to defend the castle to the last man. The Imperial
general sent in a message requesting him to treat for the surrender
of the place; but Munro replied simply, that as no allusion to the
word treaty was contained in his instructions he should defend the
place to the last. The first advance of the Imperialists was made
by the cavalry covered by 1000 musketeers, but these were repulsed
without much difficulty by the Scottish fire.
The whole force then advanced to the attack with great resolution.
Desperately the Highlanders defended the town, again and again the
Imperialists were repulsed from the slight rampart, and when at
last they won their way into the place by dint of numbers, every
street, lane, alley, and house was defended to the last. Malcolm
was almost bewildered at the din, the incessant roll of musketry,
the hoarse shouts of the contending troops, the rattling of the
guns, and the shrieks of pain.
Every time the Imperialists tried to force their way in heavy columns
up the streets the Scots poured out from the houses to resist them,
and meeting them pike to pike hurled them backwards. Malcolm tried
to keep cool, and to imitate the behaviour of his senior officers,
repeating their orders, and seeing that they were carried out.
Time after time the Austrians attempted to carry the place, and
were always hurled back, although outnumbering the Scots by nigh
twenty to one.
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