=47. James VII. 1685-1688. The Killing Time.=--The death of _Charles_ and the accession of _James_ rather made matters worse than better for the people. Another defiance from the _Cameronians_, called the _Apologetical Declaration_, was met by an Act which gave the soldiers power at once to put to death anyone who would not take the _Abjuration Oath_; that is, swear that they abhorred and renounced this treasonable _Declaration_. A time of cruel slaughter followed, in which Claverhouse was the chief persecutor. Many heartrending tales are told of the sufferings of the poor creatures whose fanaticism led them to persist in refusing to take this oath. There is a story told that one _John Brown_, known as the "Christian Carrier," a man of great repute among them, was shot dead by Claverhouse himself, almost without warning, before the eyes of his wife. At another time two women, _Margaret Maclauchlan_ and _Margaret Wilson_--one old, the other young--were, it is said, tied to stakes on the _Solway shore_, that they might be drowned by inches by the flowing tide. These tales and others of a like sort, bear witness to the brutality of the one side and to the constancy of the other. Early in James's reign an Act was passed by which attending a _Conventicle_ became a capital crime. =48. Argyle's Rising.=--_Monmouth_ was in _Holland_ when his father died, and many refugees from England and Scotland were there with him. Among them they got up a scheme for placing him on the throne in place of his uncle James, who was hated, while Monmouth was very popular. To carry this out they planned a rising, which was to have taken place at the same time in both kingdoms. _Argyle_ was to take the lead in _Scotland_, but he was subject to the interference of a _Committee_ chosen from among the others. The Government was informed of this intended outbreak, and all the clans that were known to be hostile to Argyle were roused against him. Early in May he landed in _Kintyre_, and sent out the fiery cross to summon his clansmen, who mustered to the number of 1800. But the quarrels and the jealousy of the Committee placed over him overthrew all his plans. By their advice he marched into the Lowlands, where the people were little disposed to join him. The fort where he had stored his arms and ammunition was seized by the King's men. His men were starving. They deserted in large numbers, and were at last dispersed by a false alarm as they were marching on Glasgow. Argyle himself was taken while trying to escape. He was still lying under the old sentence of death, which had been passed against him for leasing-making. This sentence was executed without any further trial, and with a repetition of all the indignities which had been heaped upon Montrose. After his death the vengeance of the Government fell on his clansmen. The country round _Inverary_ was wasted, while great numbers of the clan were transported to the plantations, many of