There was, however, no possibility of extricating themselves from the mass of their foes, and Bruce, finding the conflict hopeless, was again about to surrender when a great shout was heard, and a close body of Scottish spearmen threw themselves into the ranks of the English horse.

Nothing could withstand the impetuosity of the assault.

The horsemen recoiled before the levelled spears, and the pikemen, sweeping onward, surrounded the king and his companions.
"Well done, my brave fellows!" Archie cried; "now keep together in a close body and draw off the field." The darkness which had at first proved so disastrous to the Scots was now favourable to them.

The English infantry knew not what was going on.

The cavalry tried in vain to break through the ranks of the spearmen, and these, keeping closely together, regained the shelter of the wood, and drew off by way of Dunkeld and Killiecrankie to the mountains of Athole.