“You judged very well,” said Montrose;
“it would be proper that they remain where they
are, or seek some more distant place of refuge.
I will send them money, though it is a scarce article
with me at present.”
“It is quite unnecessary,” said Major
Dalgetty; “your Excellency has only to hint
that the M’Aulays are going in that direction,
and my friends of the Mist will instantly make volte-face,
and go to the right about.”
“That were scarce courteous,” said the
Marquis. “Better send them a few dollars
to purchase them some cattle for the support of the
women and children.”
“They know how to come by their cattle at a
far cheaper rate,” said the Major; “but
let it be as your Excellency wills.”
“Let Ranald MacEagh,” said Montrose, “select
one or two of his followers, men whom he can trust,
and who are capable of keeping their own secret and
ours; these, with their chief for scout-master-general,
shall serve for our guides. Let them be at my
tent to-morrow at daybreak, and see, if possible,
that they neither guess my purpose, nor hold any communication
with each other in private.—This old man,
has he any children?”
“They have been killed or hanged,” answered
the Major, “to the number of a round dozen,
as I believe—but he hath left one grand-child,
a smart and hopeful youth, whom I have noted to be
never without a pebble in his plaid-nook, to fling
at whatsoever might come in his way; being a symbol,
that, like David, who was accustomed to sling smooth
stones taken from the brook, he may afterwards prove
an adventurous warrior.”
“That boy, Major Dalgetty,” said the Marquis,
“I will have to attend upon my own person.
I presume he will have sense enough to keep his name
secret?”
“Your Excellency need not fear that,”
answered Dalgetty; “these Highland imps, from
the moment they chip the shell—”
“Well,” interrupted Montrose, “that
boy shall be pledge for the fidelity of his parent,
and if he prove faithful, the child’s preferment
shall be his reward.—And now, Major Dalgetty,
I will license your departure for the night; tomorrow
you will introduce this MacEagh, under any name or
character he may please to assume. I presume his
profession has rendered him sufficiently expert in
all sort of disguises; or we may admit John of Moidart
into our schemes, who has sense, practicability, and
intelligence, and will probably allow this man for
a time to be disguised as one of his followers.
For you, Major, my groom of the chambers will be your
quarter-master for this evening.”
Major Dalgetty took his leave with a joyful heart
greatly elated with the reception he had met with,
and much pleased with the personal manners of his
new General, which, as he explained at great length
to Ranald MacEagh, reminded him in many respects of
the demeanour of the immortal Gustavus Adolphus, the
Lion of the North, and Bulwark of the Protestant Faith.
