That heroic contempt of death which had often discovered itself in the midst of former dangers, was manifested now in his discourse with several of his most intimate friends. And as he had in former years often expressed a desire, “that if it were the will of God, he might have some honourable call to sacrifice his life in defence of religion and the liberties of his country:” so, when it appeared to him most probable that he might be called to it immediately, he met the summons with the greatest readiness. This appears from a letter which he wrote only eight days before his death: “The rebels,” says he, “are advancing to cross the Firth; but I trust in the Almighty God, who doeth whatsoever he pleaseth in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth.” These sentiments wrought in him to the last in the most effectual manner. But he was ordered to march as fast as possible to Dunbar; and that hasty retreat, in concurrence with the news which they soon after received of the surrender of Edinburgh to the rebels, struck a visible panic into both the regiments of dragoons. This affected the Colonel so much, that, on Thursday before the fatal action at Preston-pans, he intimated to an officer of considerable rank, that he expected the event would be as in fact it proved; and to a person who visited him, he said, “I cannot influence the conduct of others as I could wish, but I have one life to sacrifice to my country’s safety, and I shall not spare it.” On Friday, Sept. 20, 1745, (the day before the battle which transmitted him to his immortal crown,) when the whole army was drawn up about noon, the Colonel rode through all the ranks of his own regiment, addressing them at once in the most respectful and animating manner, both as soldiers and as Christians, to engage them to exert themselves courageously in the service of their country, and to neglect nothing that might have a tendency to prepare them for whatever event might happen. They seemed much affected with the address, and expressed a very ardent desire of attacking the enemy immediately—a desire in which he and another gallant officer of distinguished character would gladly have gratified them, if it had been in the power of either; but they were overruled; and he spent the remainder of the day in making as good a disposition as circumstances would allow.