Part 12

“The men certainly look better equipped for flight than for attack,” replied Lord Charles. “But we must not judge them too harshly. They may fight well in spite of their dress swords, and charge even with race-horses.”

“Vera true,” replied the brigadier, laughing. “And here comes General Forster.”

“By my faith! he looks more like an English fox-hunter than a soldier,” remarked Lord Charles in an undertone. “I wonder how they came to choose him.”

“They couldna help it,” replied the brigadier. “Lord Derwentwater was the right man, yet being a Papist, he wouldn't do.”

Attended by Lord Charles Murray, Lord Nairn, Major Forbes, and Logie Drummond, the brigadier stepped forward to meet General Forster, who was closely followed by Lord Derwentwater and the other Northumbrian officers.

At the same time Lord Kenmure came forward, and presented the two commanders to each other.

The meeting was very friendly, and the brigadier praised

Forster's troops, but told him plainly he ought to get different saddles and better swords.

“So we will, as soon as we can procure them,” replied Forster. “But they are not to be had.”

The English officers were next presented to the brigadier, who seemed best pleased with Lord Derwentwater. From the first moment, the rough old soldier conceived a friendship for the young noble, which he never afterwards lost.

The various troops marched past the three commanders, who remained for some time longer in the market-place, and then proceeded to their quarters.

III.--SUNDAY AT KELSO.

|After the junction of the confederate forces had been effected, it was found that they formed an army of two thousand men, of whom the majority were Highlanders.

Though the force was still small, so much confidence was now felt in Mackintosh, and such strong hopes were entertained that large additions would soon be received, that no misgivings were felt.

On the day of the junction, the commanders and officers dined together, and the best feeling was manifested. All old jealousies, if any had existed, were banished. A warm tribute was paid by Lord Derwentwater to the valour and skill of Brigadier Mackintosh, with which the veteran warrior was much gratified.

Next day, being Sunday, great discretion had to be used by the leaders of an army composed of Presbyterians, High Church Tories, and Roman Catholics.

That such discordant elements could be reconciled--even for a brief season--seemed impossible. Nevertheless, by the judicious management of Lord Kenmure, who retained the command of the confederate force so long as it continued in Scotland, the thing was accomplished.

At this time, three clergymen were attached to the expedition--the Reverend William Irvine, chaplain to the Earl of Carnwath, an Episcopalian and Nonjuror--the Reverend Robert Patten, of Allendale, who belonged to the High Church, and had just been appointed chaplain to General Forster--and the Reverend Mr. Buxton, likewise a Church of England divine, who might be considered chaplain to the entire English force, since there was no Roman Catholic priest.

By Lord Kenmure's orders all the officers and men attended at the Great Kirk, where the Church of England service was performed.

The large congregation thus assembled presented an extraordinary sight, and the behaviour of the men was extremely decorous--that of the Highlanders especially so. They nearly filled the body of the sacred edifice, and listened with devout attention to the discourse of Mr. Patten, who took for his text, “_The right of the firstborn is his_”--applying it to the cause for which they were fighting.

In the afternoon, an equally large congregation assembled, consisting chiefly of Highlanders, to hear the Reverend William Irvine, the Scottish Nonjuror, who treated them to a sermon he had preached to Lord Dundee before the battle of Killiecrankie.

It was thought that this fiery sermon was given in deference to the wishes of Brigadier Mackintosh; and it would almost seem so, since the old Highlander listened to it with profound attention, and afterwards expressed his satisfaction to the preacher.

A very favourable impression was produced on the Kelso folk by the exemplary conduct of the troops on the Sabbath; but they were not quite so well pleased when Mackintosh next morning, while searching for arms, discovered several barrels of gunpowder concealed in the vaults of the kirk, and swore if he could catch the traitors who had placed them there, he would hang them like dogs.

The brigadier was likewise extraordinarily active in foraging and plundering, and seized all the public revenues without scruple.

Under other circumstances, Lord Derwentwater would have enjoyed his visit to Kelso, but his mind was so troubled, that even Roxburgh Castle, Floors, or the charming views of the Tweed and the Teviot afforded him very little pleasure.

His heart was at Dilston.

IV.--A COUNCIL OF WAR.

|On the third day after their arrival at Kelso, one of the scouts sent by Lord Kenmure to watch the movements of the Government troops, brought word that General Carpenter had reached Wooler with a force of nine hundred men, consisting of Hotham's regiment of foot, and three regiments of dragoons, and intended next day to attack Kelso.

On receipt of this important intelligence, a council of war was immediately summoned, which was attended by all the commanders and officers.

The main point to be considered was whether they should await the English general's attack at Kelso, and barricade the town, or cross the Tweed, and meet him.

Lord Derwentwater was decidedly of opinion that the latter course should be adopted, and maintained that their force being double that of Carpenter, the result of an engagement could not be doubtful--although the Government general possessed three regiments of experienced dragoons.

But his advice, though approved by General Forster and the English officers, was opposed by the Earl of Wintoun.

“As Scotsmen,” said his lordship, “we are best able to serve the king's cause in our own country, and are therefore most reluctant to cross the Border. Is it not so?” he added, appealing to his compatriots--all of whom assented except Mackintosh.

“But you have the Earl of Mar's orders to advance,” remarked General Forster. “How can you disobey them?”

“The Earl of Mar is not aware of our exact position,” replied Lord Wintoun, “or his orders would be countermanded. At present, all communication with him is difficult, and if we enter England it will be entirely cut off. But it may be opened--and this is the plan of operation I would recommend. Falling back to the north-west, attacking Dumfries and Glasgow on our way, we shall be able to join the Western Clans, and, combining with them, can either cross the Firth above Stirling, or proceed as the Earl of Mar may direct.”

This proposition was manifestly to the taste of the Scottish leaders, most of whom signified their approval of it.

“But why throw away our present chance?” cried the Earl of Derwentwater. “Why not attack Carpenter when we can do so with every advantage? From the report just received he is greatly our inferior in numbers, and his troops are exhausted. The prestige of a victory would be of immense service to the cause.”

“We do not care to cross the Tweed,” again objected Lord Wintoun.

“If you won't cross the Tweed, my lord, General Carpenter will,” rejoined Lord Derwentwater, contemptuously.

“He will gain little by the movement,” retorted Lord Wintoun. “He will find Kelso evacuated, and will not dare follow us.”

“Is this the sort of fighting we are to expect?” cried Lord Derwentwater. “Are we always to retreat on the appearance of the foe? We Northumbrians did not come to Scotland to join the Western Clans, but to meet our brave ally Brigadier Mackintosh, who is pledged to march with us to London, and we claim fulfilment of his promise. As to General Carpenter, if our allies won't help us, we will attack him alone. Do I not express your sentiments, general?” he added to Forster.

“My opinion decidedly is, that Carpenter ought to be met by the whole confederate force,” said Forster. “My own division is not strong enough to encounter him, and would incur certain defeat.”

“Again, I say, the Scots will not cross the Tweed,” remarked Lord Wintoun. “If our English allies choose to sacrifice themselves, we may grieve, but we cannot help it.”

Restraining himself with difficulty, the Earl of Derwentwater turned to Mackintosh, who had not hitherto spoken, and said:

“Do you mean to desert us, brigadier?”

“No, my lord,” was the reply.

“Then let the Lowlanders join the Western Clans if they will,” said the earl. “We can do without them.”

Lord Wintoun placed his hand upon his sword, and the other Lowland leaders would have fiercely resented the remark, if Lord Kenmure had not interposed.

“We must have no quarrels among ourselves,” he said. “When Lord Derwentwater becomes calmer, he will regret having spoken thus hastily. As yet, I am chief in command of the whole insurgent force, and my orders must be obeyed.”

“They shall be obeyed by me, my lord,” said General Forster. “But I pray you not to take us further into Scotland. My troops will assuredly revolt.”

“We will come to a decision at Jedburgh,” said Lord Kenmure, somewhat evasively. “Meantime, precise information must be obtained as to the movements of the enemy. You shall go on the errand, Captain Gordon,” he added, addressing a tall, exceedingly handsome young man in the Lowland garb.

Captain Gordon, an officer in the Merse troop, commanded by the Honourable Captain Hume, and distinguished for his courage and activity, seemed well pleased at being chosen for the dangerous expedition.

“I will rejoin your lordship at Jedburgh,” he said. “But if I find General Carpenter and his force on the move, you will see me sooner.”

With this he bowed and quitted the room, and almost before the council had broken up he was on the other side of the Tweed.

“Brigadier,” said General Forster, addressing Mackintosh, after some further discussion had taken place; “before we separate I must ask you plainly if you mean to march with us to London?”

“I will answer frankly, general,” replied Mackintosh. “My men will never enter England unless they are certain of their pay.”

“Is that the only difficulty?” said Lord Derwentwater. “I feared from what has been said, that they might be averse to a campaign in England.”

“So they are, my lord,” replied the brigadier. “But possibly their aversion may be overcome by the certainty of good pay.”

“Make them quite easy on that score,” said Lord Derwentwater. “I will provide the money.”

“When my men learn your lordship's generous promise,” said Mackintosh, “I doubt not they will be very grateful.”

“'Tis but a small subsidy to the king,” said Lord Derwentwater. “I would give my whole property to set him on the throne.”

“Truly, your lordship sets us all a good example, which we ought to follow,” said Lord Kenmure. “And now for Jedburgh!”

About an hour later, much to the relief of the inhabitants, who began to fear that a battle would be fought under their walls, the whole insurgent force quitted Kelso, having stayed there three days.

V--FURTHER DISSENSIONS.

|The Northumbrians reached their destination first, and as the others did not arrive, they rode back to see what had happened to them and found the South Country Scots drawn up on the road about two miles from the town, and waiting for the Highlanders, who, in their turn, had halted to receive General Carpenter--believing he was in pursuit. These false alarms caused some delay, but eventually the whole force reached Jedburgh.

Next day another council of war was held, and the same dissension prevailed as before, threatening to end in a rupture among the chiefs.

Previously to the meeting Lord Wintoun, who had had a private conference with Mackintosh, was persuaded that the brigadier would support him. But he was mistaken--the old warrior would not desert the Northumbrians, though it was evident he himself was unwilling to quit Scotland.

While they were still engaged in angry and fruitless discussion, Captain Gordon returned.

“What news do you bring us, sir?” demanded Lord Kenmure. “Has General Carpenter crossed the Border?”

“He has, my lord,” replied Captain Gordon; “and the greater part of his force is quartered at the Yetholms within eight miles of this place. Troops are cantoned at Hounham, Mendrum, Town-Yetholm, Kirk-Yetholm, and Morbattle, as I myself have ascertained. I ventured so near them at Morbattle, that I was discovered and pursued by a dozen of Churchill's dragoons, within two miles of Jedburgh, when they gave up the chase. No doubt they believed we were still at Kelso, but they must now have found out their mistake.”

“Captain Gordon,” said Mackintosh, “so far as you can judge, what is the condition of the enemy?”

“Their horses are jaded, or I should not have escaped,” replied Gordon, “and I am certain the foot, of whom there must be five or six hundred, are fatigued with their long march. I therefore feel convinced there will be no general attack to-day, and I think we might surprise them.”

“You hear what Captain Gordon says, my lord?” cried Mackintosh, turning to Lord Kenmure. “From the observations he has just made he is of opinion we may surprise the enemy.”

“General Carpenter himself is at Kirk-Yetholm,” remarked Captain Gordon.

“So much the better,” said the brigadier. “Having taken up a position there, he will make no further advance to-day. Our whole force is in marching order. Let us make the attack at once. By using the utmost expedition we shall take him unprepared.”

“That is certain,” said Captain Gordon; “and I do not for a moment doubt that the attack will be successful.”

“I hope the plan meets with your lordship's approval?” said Lord Derwentwater to Kenmure.

The chief commander, however, made no direct answer, but turning to the Northumbrian leader, observed:

“What says General Forster?”

“'Tis a bold step, and requires consideration,” replied the other.

“The blow must be struck at once, or not at all,” said Mackintosh. “While we are deliberating the chance will be lost.”

“We have not sufficient horse,” rejoined Forster.

“We have enow for our purpose,” said Lord Derwentwater. “My lord, in the king's name, I ask you to make the attack.”

“Ha! this sounds like a command,” cried Lord Kenmure, angrily. “Your own general hesitates--if he will go on, I will.”

“For Heaven's sake come to a speedy decision!” said the earl to Forster. “Every minute is precious. There is no risk.”

“I don't know that,” replied Forster. “I won't run headlong into a danger that can be avoided. We may find General Carpenter better prepared for us than we expect. His dragoons are far more numerous than our cavalry.”

“But our horses are fresh, general,” observed Captain Gordon. “I repeat my opinion that a prompt attack would be successful.”

“I won't hazard it,” said Lord Kenmure.

“Then your lordship refuses to lead us to certain victory,” said Lord Derwentwater.

Lord Kenmure shrugged his shoulders.

“I have given you my decision, and I shall adhere to it.”

Lord Derwentwater could not repress an exclamation of rage.

Mackintosh looked equally angry, but felt it was useless to interfere.

“We shall be better prepared on some future day,” observed Forster.

“Never!” exclaimed the brigadier, contemptuously. “Never shall we be better prepared than now! Never shall we have the enemy at greater advantage!''

“At all events, let us stay where we are,” said Lord Derwentwater. “General Carpenter will think we are retreating if we march to Hawick.”

“Nor will he be far wide of the truth if he does think so,” said Mackintosh.

But these expressions of disapproval were entirely unheeded, and the march to Hawick took place, greatly to the annoyance of Lord Derwentwater.

Determined to reconnoitre the enemy, his lordship requested Captain Gordon to accompany him, and set off with a small party of horse towards the Yetholms.

Nothing occurred to indicate that the enemy were on the move till he came within a couple of miles of Kirk-Yetholm, when from the brow of a hill he distinguished their vanguard, and at once comprehended that a part of the force, if not the whole, must be marching to Kelso.

Satisfied with what he had seen, and beginning to be of opinion that General Carpenter would not have been so easily surprised as he imagined, he turned back, and riding quickly, overtook the insurgent army before it reached Hawick.

It afterwards appeared that the earl had narrowly escaped capture, and that he and his companions were indebted for their escape to the swiftness of their horses. Had he descended the hill whence he descried the enemy, he must have been taken prisoner.

VI.--THE HIGHLANDERS REFUSE TO CROSS THE BORDER.

|Next day symptoms of revolt began to appear among the Highlanders, who had been told by Lord Wintoun that if they went to England they would infallibly be defeated by the superior force brought against them, and would either be cut to pieces, taken prisoners and hanged, or sold as slaves to the plantations.

Assembling on the Moot Hill, at the head of the town, they refused to come down, even at the orders of their chief, and told him if they were led against the enemy they would fight, but that they would not cross the Border.

“Wherefore not?” he cried. “Why the devil are you afraid to fight the Southrons on their aim ground? You are ready to meet them here, but not south of the Solway Firth. Your pay is assured you, and it will be your ain faut if ye dinna double it.”

“But they tell us we shall never come back,” rejoined the sergeant, who acted as spokesman.

“Who tells you so?” demanded the brigadier.

“One who knows what he says, and wouldn't deceive us,” replied the sergeant.

“Zounds, man! do you think I would deceive you?” cried the brigadier. “I tell you that in England you will get plenty to eat and drink--plenty of plunder--whereas in Scotland you have nothing but starvation to expect. Now choose! Will you follow me, who have led you on thus far triumphantly, and will lead you on to further conquest--or desert me, when I most need your services, for one who has neither the will nor the power to reward you?”

“We will follow you, brigadier,” shouted the majority of the men. “Take us where you will.”

“I will first take you where each of you can get a mutchkin of whisky to drink the king's health. You will then prepare to march to Langholm, on the road to Long-town!”

After resting for the night at Langholm, where they had some difficulty in finding quarters, the insurgents continued their march next day, uncertain whether they should proceed to Langholm or Ecclefechan, when a decision was unexpectedly brought about.

VII.--LORD WIDDRINGTON RETURNS FROM LANCASHIRE.

|While crossing a wide moor, they perceived a party of horsemen coming towards them, and understood from the shouts of these persons that they must be friends.

On a nearer approach the insurgents discovered that the leader of the party was Lord Widdrington. He had just returned from his visit to Lancashire, and had brought with him a very important document, which he was extremely anxious to show to the leaders of the expedition, as it could not fail to govern their future plans.

Upon this, a general halt was called, and the commanders and officers having assembled, Lord Widdrington read his paper to them.

It was to the effect, that if the combined forces of the Scottish Lowlanders and Highlanders, who had risen for King James the Third, would direct their march to Lancashire, the High Church Tories of Manchester and the neighbourhood, and the whole of the Roman Catholic gentry of Lancashire and Cheshire, would rise in a mass, and join them with an army of twenty thousand men.

“Twenty thousand men!” exclaimed Lord Kenmure. “Are you certain of this, my lord?”

“I am certain that our appearance in Lancashire will be the signal of a general rising,” replied Lord Widdrington. “There is a very strong Jacobite feeling throughout the county. But the inhabitants will not rise till we appear.”

“Then we must go to Lancashire,” said Lord Kenmure.

“In three days we shall be in the heart of the county,” said General Forster.

“And surrounded by a host of friends,” cried Lord Widdrington. “I have had promises from all quarters. And you will see that this document bears a number of important names. The first signature is that of my brother-in-law, Mr. Townley, of Townley. The second is that of Mr. Ralph Standish, of Standish. Next follows Sir Francis Anderton, of Lostock. Then come Mr. Shuttle-worth, of Shuttleworth, Mr. Richard Chorley, of Chorley, Mr. Gabriel Hesketh, of Whitehall, near St. Michael's-le-Wyre, and Mr. John Leyburne, of Natesby--all men of good family.”

“But all Roman Catholics, I suppose?” said Lord Ken-mure.

“True, my lord--but they are none the worse for their religion. But there are many other names on the list. Pray look at the document.”

“It is not needful,” replied Lord Kenmure. Then turning to the others, he added, “I am of opinion that we ought forthwith to quit Scotland and march to Lancashire. How say you, my lords and gentlemen? Shall it be so?”

A hearty response was given in the affirmative, with but one dissentient voice--that of Lord Wintoun.

“I am still as much opposed to the plan as ever.” said his lordship. “I have entire faith in Lord Widdrington's representations. I know he is incapable of deceiving us; but I place no reliance on the promises of support he has received. If the Lancashire Jacobites meant to rise, they would not wait for our coming.”

“You do not know them as well as I do, my lord,” said Lord Widdrington. “I can assure you they are in earnest.”

“If you despair of the expedition, my lord, leave it,” said Lord Derwentwater. “But do not throw cold water upon it.”

“No, it shall never be said that the Earl of Wintoun deserted King James's cause,” rejoined the other. “But the day will come when you will bitterly regret that you did not follow my counsel.”

“Meantime, we are well content to march to Lancashire,” said Lord Derwentwater.

“Ay, to Lancashire! to Lancashire!” cried several voices.

The matter being now settled, orders were given to march to Langholm.

Brigadier Mackintosh, however, had a difficult task to get his men to move. When they understood it was decided that the force should march into England, a portion of the Highlanders again rebelled, and refused to proceed further.

Once more the brigadier tried the effect of persuasion, and partly by promises--partly by threats--induced the men to follow him.

They went on very reluctantly for three or four miles, till they drew near the Esk, when the mutineers separating themselves from their comrades, ran towards the river, with the intention of crossing it and flying towards Ecclefechan.

But the brigadier was beforehand with them, and plunging into the stream, drew his sword, and swore he would cut down the first who entered the water.

His aspect was so grim and terrible that he held them in check for a few minutes, during which he was able to reassert his authority, and eventually he succeeded in driving a great number of them back to the ranks.

The confederate forces halted at Langholm, but did not rest there for the night, as it was deemed advisable by the Scottish leaders to enter England without delay. Accordingly they marched on to Longtown, in Cumberland.