Montrosehadnowasplendidcareerinhisview,providedhecouldobtaintheconsentofhisgallant,butdesultorytroops,andtheirindependentchieftains。TheLowlandslayopenbeforehimwithoutanarmyadequatetocheckhiscareer;forArgyle\'sfollowershadlefttheCovenanters\'hostwhentheirmasterthrewuphiscommission,andmanyothertroops,tiredofthewar,hadtakenthesameopportunitytodisbandthemselves。BydescendingStrath—Tay,therefore,oneofthemostconvenientpassesfromtheHighlands,MontrosehadonlytopresenthimselfintheLowlands,inordertorousetheslumberingspiritofchivalryandofloyaltywhichanimatedthegentlementothenorthoftheForth。
Thepossessionofthesedistricts,withorwithoutavictory,wouldgivehimthecommandofawealthyandfertilepartofthekingdom,andwouldenablehim,byregularpay,toplacehisarmyonapermanentfooting,topenetrateasfarasthecapital,perhapsfromthencetotheBorder,wherehedeemeditpossibletocommunicatewiththeyetunsubduedforcesofKingCharles。
Suchwastheplanofoperationsbywhichthetruestglorywastobeacquired,andthemostimportantsuccessinsuredfortheroyalcause。AccordinglyitdidnotescapetheambitiousanddaringspiritofhimwhoseserviceshadalreadyacquiredhimthetitleoftheGreatMarquis。Butothermotivesactuatedmanyofhisfollowers,andperhapswerenotwithouttheirsecretandunacknowledgedinfluenceuponhisownfeelings。
TheWesternChiefsinMontrose\'sarmy,almosttoaman,regardedtheMarquisofArgyleasthemostdirectandproperobjectofhostilities。Almostallofthemhadfelthispower;almostall,inwithdrawingtheirfenciblemenfromtheirownglens,lefttheirfamiliesandpropertyexposedtohisvengeance;all,withoutexception,weredesirousofdiminishinghissovereignty;
andmostofthemlaysonearhisterritories,thattheymightreasonablyhopetobegratifiedbyashareofhisspoil。TotheseChiefsthepossessionofInveraryanditscastlewasaneventinfinitelymoreimportantanddesirablethanthecaptureofEdinburgh。Thelattereventcouldonlyaffordtheirclansmenalittletransitorypayorplunder;theformerinsuredtotheChiefsthemselvesindemnityforthepast,andsecurityforthefuture。Besidesthesepersonalreasons,theleaders,whofavouredthisopinion,plausiblyurged,thatthough,athisfirstdescentintotheLowlands,Montrosemightbesuperiortotheenemy,yeteveryday\'smarchhemadefromthehillsmustdiminishhisownforces,andexposehimtotheaccumulatedsuperiorityofanyarmywhichtheCovenanterscouldcollectfromtheLowlandleviesandgarrisons。Ontheotherhand,bycrushingArgyleeffectually,hewouldnotonlypermithispresentwesternfriendstobringoutthatproportionoftheirforceswhichtheymustotherwiseleaveathomeforprotectionoftheirfamilies;butfarther,hewoulddrawtohisstandardseveraltribesalreadyfriendlytohiscause,butwhowerepreventedfromjoininghimbyfearofM\'CallumMore。
Thesearguments,aswehavealreadyhinted,foundsomethingresponsiveinMontrose\'sownbosom,notquiteconsonantwiththegeneralheroismofhischaracter。ThehousesofArgyleandMontrosehadbeeninformertimes,repeatedlyopposedtoeachotherinwarandinpolitics,andthesuperioradvantagesacquiredbytheformer,hadmadethemthesubjectofenvyanddisliketotheneighbouringfamily,who,consciousofequaldesert,hadnotbeensorichlyrewarded。Thiswasnotall。Theexistingheadsoftheserivalfamilieshadstoodinthemostmarkedoppositiontoeachothersincethecommencementofthepresenttroubles。
Montrose,consciousofthesuperiorityofhistalents,andofhavingrenderedgreatservicetotheCovenantersatthebeginningofthewar,hadexpectedfromthatpartythesupereminenceofcouncilandcommand,whichtheyjudgeditsafertointrusttothemorelimitedfaculties,andmoreextensivepower,ofhisrivalArgyle。Thehavingawardedthispreference,wasaninjurywhichMontroseneverforgavetheCovenanters;andhewasstilllesslikelytoextendhispardontoArgyle,towhomhehadbeenpostponed。Hewasthereforestimulatedbyeveryfeelingofhatredwhichcouldanimateafierytemperinafierceage,toseekforrevengeupontheenemyofhishouseandperson;anditisprobablethattheseprivatemotivesoperatednotalittleuponhismind,whenhefoundtheprincipalpartofhisfollowersdeterminedrathertoundertakeanexpeditionagainsttheterritoriesofArgyle,thantotakethefarmoredecisivestepofdescendingatonceintotheLowlands。
YetwhatevertemptationMontrosefoundtocarryintoeffecthisattackuponArgyleshire,hecouldnoteasilybringhimselftorenouncethesplendidachievementofadescentupontheLowlands。
HeheldmorethanonecouncilwiththeprincipalChiefs,combating,perhaps,hisownsecretinclinationaswellastheirs。
HelaidbeforethemtheextremedifficultyofmarchingevenaHighlandarmyfromtheeastwardintoArgyleshire,throughpassesscarcelypracticableforshepherdsanddeer—stalkers,andovermountains,withwhicheventheclanslyingnearesttothemdidnotpretendtobethoroughlyacquainted。Thesedifficultiesweregreatlyenhancedbytheseasonoftheyear,whichwasnowadvancingtowardsDecember,whenthemountain—passes,inthemselvessodifficult,mightbeexpectedtoberenderedutterlyimpassablebysnowstorms。TheseobjectionsneithersatisfiednorsilencedtheChiefs,whoinsistedupontheirancientmodeofmakingwar,bydrivingthecattle,which,accordingtotheGaelicphrase,\"feduponthegrassoftheirenemy。\"Thecouncilwasdismissedlateatnight,andwithoutcomingtoanydecision,exceptingthattheChiefs,whosupportedtheopinionthatArgyleshouldbeinvaded,promisedtoseekoutamongtheirfollowersthosewhomightbemostcapableofundertakingtheofficeofguidesupontheexpedition。
Montrosehadretiredtothecabinwhichservedhimforatent,andstretchedhimselfuponabedofdryfern,theonlyplaceofreposewhichitafforded。Buthecourtedsleepinvain,forthevisionsofambitionexcludedthoseofMorpheus。InonemomentheimaginedhimselfdisplayingtheroyalbannerfromthereconqueredCastleofEdinburgh,detachingassistancetoamonarchwhosecrowndependeduponhissuccess,andreceivinginrequitalalltheadvantagesandprefermentswhichcouldbeheapeduponhimwhomakingdelightethtohonour。Atanothertimethisdream,splendidasitwas,fadedbeforethevisionofgratifiedvengeance,andpersonaltriumphoverapersonalenemy。TosurpriseArgyleinhisstrongholdofInverary——tocrushinhimatoncetherivalofhisownhouseandthechiefsupportofthePresbyterians——toshowtheCovenantersthedifferencebetweenthepreferredArgyleandthepostponedMontrose,wasapicturetooflatteringtofeudalvengeancetobeeasilyrelinquished。
Whilehelaythusbusiedwithcontradictorythoughtsandfeelings,thesoldierwhostoodsentineluponhisquartersannouncedtotheMarquisthattwopersonsdesiredtospeakwithhisExcellency。
\"Theirnames？\"answeredMontrose,\"andthecauseoftheirurgencyatsuchalatehour？\"
Onthesepoints,thesentinel,whowasoneofColkitto\'sIrishmen,couldaffordhisGenerallittleinformation;sothatMontrose,whoatsuchaperioddurstrefuseaccesstonoone,lesthemighthavebeenneglectingsomeimportantintelligence,gavedirections,asanecessaryprecaution,toputtheguardunderarms,andthenpreparedtoreceivehisuntimelyvisitors。
Hisgroomofthechambershadscarcelightedapairoftorches,andMontrosehimselfhadscarcerisenfromhiscouch,whentwomenentered,onewearingaLowlanddress,ofshamoyleatherwornalmosttotatters;theotheratalluprightoldHighlander,ofacomplexionwhichmightbetermediron—grey,wastedandwornbyfrostandtempest。
\"Whatmaybeyourcommandswithme,myfriends？\"saidtheMarquis,hishandalmostunconsciouslyseekingthebutofoneofhispistols;fortheperiod,aswellasthetimeofnight,warrantedsuspicionswhichthegoodmienofhisvisitorswasnotbyanymeanscalculatedtoremove。
\"Iprayleavetocongratulateyou,\"saidtheLowlander,\"mymostnobleGeneral,andrighthonourablelord,uponthegreatbattleswhichyouhaveachievedsinceIhadthefortunetobedetachedfromyou,ItwasaprettyaffairthattuilzieatTippermuir;
nevertheless,ifImightbepermittedtocounsel——\"
\"Beforedoingso,\"saidtheMarquis,\"willyoubepleasedtoletmeknowwhoissokindastofavourmewithhisopinion？\"
\"Truly,mylord,\"repliedtheman,\"Ishouldhavehopedthatwasunnecessary,seeingitisnotsolongsinceItookoninyourservice,underpromiseofacommissionasMajor,withhalfadollarofdailypayandhalfadollarofarrears;andIamtotrustyourlordshiphasnutforgottenmypayaswellasmyperson？\"
\"Mygoodfriend,MajorDalgetty,\"saidMontrose,whobythistimeperfectlyrecollectedhisman,\"youmustconsiderwhatimportantthingshavehappenedtoputmyfriends\'facesoutofmymemory,besidesthisimperfectlight;butallconditionsshallbekept。
——AndwhatnewsfromArgyleshire,mygoodMajor？Wehavelonggivenyouupforlost,andIwasnowpreparingtotakethemostsignalvengeanceupontheoldfoxwhoinfringedthelawofarmsinyourperson。\"
\"Truly,mynoblelord,\"saidDalgetty,\"Ihavenodesirethatmyreturnshouldputanystoptosoproperandbecominganintention;verilyitisinnoshapeintheEarlofArgyle\'sfavourormercythatInowstandbeforeyou,andIshallbenointercessorforhim。Butmyescapeis,underHeaven,andtheexcellentdexteritywhich,asanoldandaccomplishedcavalier,I
displayedineffectingthesame,——Isay,underthese,itisowingtotheassistanceofthisoldHighlander,whomIventuretorecommendtoyourlordship\'sspecialfavour,astheinstrumentofsavingyourlordship\'stocommand,DugaldDalgettyofDrumthwacket。\"
\"Athankworthyservice,\"saidtheMarquis,gravely,\"whichshallcertainlyberequitedinthemanneritdeserves。\"
\"Kneeldown,Ranald,\"saidMajorDalgetty（aswemustnowcallhim）,\"kneeldown,andkisshisExcellency\'shand。\"
TheprescribedformofacknowledgmentnotbeingaccordingtothecustomofRanald\'scountry,hecontentedhimselfwithfoldinghisarmsonhisbosom,andmakingalowinclinationofhishead。
\"Thispoorman,mylord,\"saidMajorDalgetty,continuinghisspeechwithadignifiedairofprotectiontowardsRanaldM\'Eagh,\"hasstrainedallhisslendermeanstodefendmypersonfrommineenemies,althoughhavingnobetterweaponsofamissilesortthanbowsandarrows,whilkyourlordshipwillhardlybelieve。\"
\"Youwillseeagreatmanysuchweaponsinmycamp,\"saidMontrose,\"andwefindthemserviceable。\"[Infact,fortheadmirersofarcheryitmaybestated,notonlythatmanyoftheHighlandersinMontrose\'sarmyusedtheseantiquemissiles,buteveninEnglandthebowandquiver,oncethegloryoftheboldyeomenofthatland,wereoccasionallyusedduringthegreatcivilwars。]
\"Serviceable,mylord！\"saidDalgetty;\"Itrustyourlordshipwillpermitmetobesurprised——bowsandarrows！——Itrustyouwillforgivemyrecommendingthesubstitutionofmuskets,thefirstconvenientopportunity。Butbesidesdefendingme,thishonestHighlanderalsowasatthepainsofcuringme,inrespectthatIhadgotatouchofthewarsinmyretreat,whichmeritsmybestrequitalinthisspecialintroductionofhimtoyourlordship\'snoticeandprotection。\"
\"Whatisyourname,myfriend？\"saidMontrose,turningtotheHighlander。
\"Itmaynotbespoken,\"answeredthemountaineer。
\"Thatistosay,\"interpretedMajorDalgetty,\"hedesirestohavehisnameconcealed,inrespecthehathinformerdaystakenacastle,slaincertainchildren,anddoneotherthings,whilk,asyourgoodlordshipknows,areoftenpractisedinwartime,butexcitenobenevolencetowardstheperpetratorinthefriendsofthosewhosustaininjury。Ihaveknown,inmymilitaryexperience,manybravecavaliersputtodeathbytheboors,simplyforhavingusedmilitarylicenseuponthecountry。\"
\"Iunderstand,\"saidMontrose:\"Thispersonisatfeudwithsomeofourfollowers。Lethimretiretothecourtofguard,andwewillthinkofthebestmodeofprotectinghim。\"
\"Youhear,Ranald,\"saidMajorDalgetty,withanairofsuperiority,\"hisExcellencywishestoholdprivycouncilwithme,youmustgotothecourtofguard。——Hedoesnotknowwherethatis,poorfellow！——heisayoungsoldierforsooldaman;I
willputhimunderthechargeofasentinel,andreturntoyourlordshipincontinent。\"Hedidso,andreturnedaccordingly。
Montrose\'sfirstenquiryrespectedtheembassytoInverary;andhelistenedwithattentiontoDalgetty\'sreply,notwithstandingtheprolixityoftheMajor\'snarrative。ItrequiredaneffortfromtheMarquistomaintainhisattention;butnoonebetterknew,thatwhereinformationistobederivedfromthereportofsuchagentsasDalgetty,itcanonlybeobtainedbysufferingthemtotelltheirstoryintheirownway。AccordinglytheMarquis\'spatiencewasatlengthrewarded。AmongotherspoilswhichtheCaptainthoughthimselfatlibertytotake,wasapacketofArgyle\'sprivatepapers。TheseheconsignedtothehandsofhisGeneral;ahumourofaccounting,however,whichwentnofarther,forIdonotunderstandthathemadeanymentionofthepurseofgoldwhichhehadappropriatedatthesametimethathemadeseizureofthepapersaforesaid。Snatchingatorchfromthewall,Montrosewasinaninstantdeeplyengagedintheperusalofthesedocuments,inwhichitisprobablehefoundsomethingtoanimatehispersonalresentmentagainsthisrivalArgyle。
\"Doeshenotfearme？\"saidhe;\"thenheshallfeelme。WillhefiremycastleofMurdoch？——Inveraryshallraisethefirstsmoke。——OforaguidethroughtheskirtsofStrath—Fillan！\"
WhatevermightbeDalgetty\'spersonalconceit,heunderstoodhisbusinesssufficientlytoguessatMontrose\'smeaning。Heinstantlyinterruptedhisownprolixnarrationoftheskirmishwhichhadtakenplace,andthewoundhehadreceivedinhisretreat,andbegantospeaktothepointwhichhesawinterestedhisGeneral。
\"If,\"saidhe,\"yourExcellencywishestomakeaninfallintoArgyleshire,thispoorman,Ranald,ofwhomItoldyou,togetherwithhischildrenandcompanions,knoweverypassintothatland,bothleadingfromtheeastandfromthenorth。\"
\"Indeed！\"saidMontrose;\"whatreasonhaveyoutobelievetheirknowledgesoextensive？\"
\"SopleaseyourExcellency,\"answeredDalgetty,\"duringtheweeksthatIremainedwiththemforcureofmywound,theywererepeatedlyobligedtoshifttheirquarters,inrespectofArgyle\'srepeatedattemptstorepossesshimselfofthepersonofanofficerwhowashonouredwithYourExcellency\'sconfidence;sothatIhadoccasiontoadmirethesingulardexterityandknowledgeofthefaceofthecountrywithwhichtheyalternatelyachievedtheirretreatandtheiradvance;andwhen,atlength,I
wasabletorepairtoyourExcellency\'sstandard,thishonestsimplecreature,RanaldMacEagh,guidedmebypathswhichmysteedGustavus（whichyourlordshipmayremember）trodewithperfectsafety,sothatIsaidtomyself,thatwhereguides,spies,orintelligencers,wererequiredinaHighlandcampaigninthatwesterncountry,moreexpertpersonsthanheandhisattendantscouldnotpossiblybedesired。\"
\"Andcanyouanswerforthisman\'sfidelity？\"saidMontrose;
\"whatishisnameandcondition？\"
\"Heisanoutlawandrobberbyprofession,somethingalsoofahomicideormurderer,\"answeredDalgetty;\"andbyname,calledRanaldMacEagh;whilksignifies,Ranald,theSonoftheMist。\"
\"Ishouldremembersomethingofthatname,\"saidMontrose,pausing:\"DidnottheseChildrenoftheMistperpetratesomeactofcrueltyupontheM\'Aulays？\"
MajorDalgettymentionedthecircumstanceofthemurderoftheforester,andMontrose\'sactivememoryatoncerecalledallthecircumstancesofthefeud。
\"Itismostunlucky,\"saidMontrose,\"thisinexpiablequarrelbetweenthesemenandtheM\'Aulays。Allanhasbornehimselfbravelyinthesewars,andpossesses,bythewildmysteryofhisbehaviourandlanguage,somuchinfluenceoverthemindsofhiscountrymen,thattheconsequencesofdisobliginghimmightbeserious。Atthesametime,thesemenbeingsocapableofrenderingusefulservice,andbeingasyousay,MajorDalgetty,perfectlytrustworthy——\"
\"Iwillpledgemypayandarrears,myhorseandarms,myheadandneck,upontheirfidelity,\"saidtheMajor;\"andyourExcellencyknows,thatasoldadocouldsaynomoreforhisownfather。\"
\"True,\"saidMontrose;\"butasthisisamatterofparticularmoment,Iwouldwillinglyknowthegroundsofsopositiveanassurance。\"
\"Conciselythen,mylord,\"saidtheMajor,\"notonlydidtheydisdaintoprofitbyahandsomerewardwhichArgyledidmethehonourtoplaceuponthispoorheadofmine,andnotonlydidtheyabstainfrompillagingmypersonalproperty,whilkwastoanamountthatwouldhavetemptedregularsoldiersinanyserviceofEurope;andnotonlydidtheyrestorememyhorse,whilkyourExcellencyknowstobeofvalue,butIcouldnotprevailonthemtoacceptonestiver,doit,ormaravedi,forthetroubleandexpensesofmysickbed。Theyactuallyrefusedmycoinedmoneywhenfreelyoffered,——ataleseldomtobetoldinaChristianland。\"
\"Iadmit,\"saidMontrose,afteramoment\'sreflection,\"thattheirconducttowardsyouisgoodevidenceoftheirfidelity;buthowtosecureagainstthebreakingoutofthisfeud？\"Hepaused,andthensuddenlyadded,\"IhadforgotIhavesupped,whileyou,Major,havebeentravellingbymoonlight。\"
Hecalledtohisattendantstofetchastoupofwineandsomerefreshments。MajorDalgetty,whohadtheappetiteofaconvalescentreturnedfromHighlandquarters,needednotanypressingtopartakeofwhatwassetbeforehim,butproceededtodispatchhisfoodwithsuchalacrity,thattheMarquis,fillingacupofwine,anddrinkingtohishealth,couldnothelpremarking,thatcoarseastheprovisionsofhiscampwere,hewasafraidMajorDalgettyhadfaredmuchworseduringhisexcursionintoArgyleshire。
\"YourExcellencymaytakeyourcorporaloathuponthat,\"saidtheworthyMajor,speakingwithhismouthfull;\"forArgyle\'sbreadandwaterareyetstaleandmouldyinmyrecollection,andthoughtheydidtheirbest,yettheviandsthattheChildrenoftheMistprocuredforme,poorhelplesscreaturesastheywere,weresounrefreshfultomybody,thatwhenenclosedinmyarmour,whilkI
wasfaintoleavebehindmeforexpedition\'ssake,IrattledthereinliketheshrivelledkernelinanutthathathbeenkeptontoasecondHallowe\'en。\"
\"Youmusttaketheduemeanstorepairtheselosses,MajorDalgetty。\"
\"Introth,\"answeredthesoldier,\"Ishallhardlybeabletocompassthat,unlessmyarrearsaretobeexchangedforpresentpay;forIprotesttoyourExcellency,thatthethreestoneweightwhichIhavelostweresimplyraisedupontheregularaccountingsoftheStatesofHolland。\"
\"Inthatcase,\"saidtheMarquis,\"youareonlyreducedtogoodmarchingorder。Asforthepay,letusoncehavevictory——
victory,Major,andyourwishes,andallourwishes,shallbeamplyfulfilled。Meantime,helpyourselftoanothercupofwine。\"
\"ToyourExcellency\'shealth,\"saidtheMajor,fillingacuptothebrim,toshowthezealwithwhichhedrankthetoast,\"andvictoryoverallourenemies,andparticularlyoverArgyle！I
hopetotwitchanotherhandfulfromhisboardmyself——Ihavehadonepluckatitalready。\"
\"Verytrue,\"answeredMontrose;\"buttoreturntothosemenoftheMist。Youunderstand,Dalgetty,thattheirpresencehere,andthepurposeforwhichweemploythem,isasecretbetweenyouandme？\"
Delighted,asMontrosehadanticipated,withthismarkofhisGeneral\'sconfidence,theMajorlaidhishanduponhisnose,andnoddedintelligence。
\"HowmanymaytherebeofRanald\'sfollowers？\"continuedtheMarquis。
\"Theyarereduced,sofarasIknow,tosomeeightortenmen,\"
answeredMajorDalgetty,\"andafewwomenandchildren。\"
\"Wherearetheynow？\"demandedMontrose。
\"Inavalley,atthreemiles\'distance,\"answeredthesoldier,\"awaitingyourExcellency\'scommand;IjudgeditnotfittobringthemtoyourleaguerwithoutyourExcellency\'sorders。\"
\"Youjudgedverywell,\"saidMontrose;\"itwouldbeproperthattheyremainwheretheyare,orseeksomemoredistantplaceofrefuge。Iwillsendthemmoney,thoughitisascarcearticlewithmeatpresent。\"
\"Itisquiteunnecessary,\"saidMajorDalgetty;\"yourExcellencyhasonlytohintthattheM\'Aulaysaregoinginthatdirection,andmyfriendsoftheMistwillinstantlymakevolte—face,andgototherightabout。\"
\"Thatwerescarcecourteous,\"saidtheMarquis。\"Bettersendthemafewdollarstopurchasethemsomecattleforthesupportofthewomenandchildren。\"
\"Theyknowhowtocomebytheircattleatafarcheaperrate,\"
saidtheMajor;\"butletitbeasyourExcellencywills。\"
\"LetRanaldMacEagh,\"saidMontrose,\"selectoneortwoofhisfollowers,menwhomhecantrust,andwhoarecapableofkeepingtheirownsecretandours;these,withtheirchiefforscout—
master—general,shallserveforourguides。Letthembeatmytentto—morrowatdaybreak,andsee,ifpossible,thattheyneitherguessmypurpose,norholdanycommunicationwitheachotherinprivate。——Thisoldman,hasheanychildren？\"
\"Theyhavebeenkilledorhanged,\"answeredtheMajor,\"tothenumberofarounddozen,asIbelieve——buthehathleftonegrand—child,asmartandhopefulyouth,whomIhavenotedtobeneverwithoutapebbleinhisplaid—nook,toflingatwhatsoevermightcomeinhisway;beingasymbol,that,likeDavid,whowasaccustomedtoslingsmoothstonestakenfromthebrook,hemayafterwardsproveanadventurouswarrior。\"
\"Thatboy,MajorDalgetty,\"saidtheMarquis,\"Iwillhavetoattenduponmyownperson。Ipresumehewillhavesenseenoughtokeephisnamesecret？\"
\"YourExcellencyneednotfearthat,\"answeredDalgetty;\"theseHighlandimps,fromthemomenttheychiptheshell——\"
\"Well,\"interruptedMontrose,\"thatboyshallbepledgeforthefidelityofhisparent,andifheprovefaithful,thechild\'sprefermentshallbehisreward。——Andnow,MajorDalgetty,Iwilllicenseyourdepartureforthenight;tomorrowyouwillintroducethisMacEagh,underanynameorcharacterhemaypleasetoassume。Ipresumehisprofessionhasrenderedhimsufficientlyexpertinallsortofdisguises;orwemayadmitJohnofMoidartintoourschemes,whohassense,practicability,andintelligence,andwillprobablyallowthismanforatimetobedisguisedasoneofhisfollowers。Foryou,Major,mygroomofthechamberswillbeyourquarter—masterforthisevening。\"
MajorDalgettytookhisleavewithajoyfulheartgreatlyelatedwiththereceptionhehadmetwith,andmuchpleasedwiththepersonalmannersofhisnewGeneral,which,asheexplainedatgreatlengthtoRanaldMacEagh,remindedhiminmanyrespectsofthedemeanouroftheimmortalGustavusAdolphus,theLionoftheNorth,andBulwarkoftheProtestantFaith。
CHAPTERXVII。
Themarchbeginsinmilitarystate,Andnationsonhiseyessuspendedwait;
Sternfamineguardsthesolitarycoast,Andwinterbarricadestherealmsoffrost。
Hecomes,——norwant,norcold,hiscoursedelay。
VANITYOFHUMANWISHES。
BybreakofdayMontrosereceivedinhiscabinoldMacEagh,andquestionedhimlongandparticularlyastothemeansofapproachingthecountryofArgyle。Hemadeanoteofhisanswers,whichhecomparedwiththoseoftwoofhisfollowers,whomheintroducedasthemostprudentandexperienced。Hefoundthemtocorrespondinallrespects;but,stillunsatisfiedwhereprecautionwassonecessary,theMarquiscomparedtheinformationhehadreceivedwiththathewasabletocollectfromtheChiefswholaymostneartothedestinedsceneofinvasion,andbeinginallrespectssatisfiedofitsaccuracy,heresolvedtoproceedinfullrelianceuponit。
InonepointMontrosechangedhismind。HavingjudgeditunfittotaketheboyKennethintohisownservice,lest,incaseofhisbirthbeingdiscovered,itshouldberesentedasanoffencebythenumerousclanswhoentertainedafeudalenmitytothisdevotedfamily,herequestedtheMajortotakehiminattendanceuponhimself;andasheaccompaniedthisrequestwithahandsomeDOUCEUR,underpretenceofclothingandequippingthelad,thischangewasagreeabletoallparties。
Itwasaboutbreakfast—time,whenMajorDalgetty,beingdismissedbyMontrose,wentinquestofhisoldacquaintances,LordMenteithandtheM\'Aulays,towhomhelongedtocommunicatehisownadventures,aswellastolearnfromthemtheparticularsofthecampaign。Itmaybeimaginedhewasreceivedwithgreatgleebymentowhomthelateuniformityoftheirmilitarylifehadrenderedanychangeofsocietyaninterestingnovelty。AllanM\'Aulayaloneseemedtorecoilfromhisformeracquaintance,although,whenchallengedbyhisbrother,hecouldrendernootherreasonthanareluctancetobefamiliarwithonewhohadbeensolatelyinthecompanyofArgyle,andotherenemies。
MajorDalgettywasalittlealarmedbythissortofinstinctiveconsciousnesswhichAllanseemedtoentertainrespectingthesocietyhehadbeenlatelykeeping;hewassoonsatisfied,however,thattheperceptionsoftheseerinthisparticularwerenotinfallible。