FIGHTING FOT^ THG CROlf^ 189 



numbered the royal infantry by two to one. The 

 appearance of Cromwell on the scene threw a still greater 

 weight into the scale. Many of Ireton's men would 

 by this time have rallied. Okey's dragoons were 

 no longer wanted on the far side of Sulby hedge. The 

 only wonder is that the Royal infantry should have held 

 their ground so long. But the end, though delayed, 

 could not be distant. The odds began to tell. It was 

 long, indeed, before resistance ceased. We have Crom- 

 well's own words in his despatch, "We, after three hours' 

 fight, very doubtful, at last routed his Army." The 

 doomed battalions, outnumbered, hard beset in front, 

 and flank, and rear, fought on with desperate valour, 

 until, disheartened by an unexpected charge, most of 

 them gave up the hopeless contest, threw down their 

 arms and asked for quarter. One regiment alone, 

 refusing every summons to surrender, stood " like a wall 

 of brasse " against the swarm of cavalry. " Has this 

 regiment been charged ? " asked Fairfax of his colonel of 

 the guard. " Twice," was the reply, " but they moved 

 not an inch." Ordering his officer to attack the stubborn 

 foe in front, Fairfax himself, who had lost his helmet in 

 the fight led the charge against their rear. Valour 

 could achieve no more. The ranks were broken, the last 

 stand was over. 



The King, meanwhile, had seen their dire extremity. 

 His reserve of guards " very resolute troops, and the 

 best horse in the army " still remained intact. A con- 

 siderable force of cavalry had rallied to his standard. 

 He called on them to follow to the support of his heroic 



