rebels with all the troops that the Government could raise. But he mismanaged matters, and, instead of bringing the enemy to a battle, he let the Highland army, which was gathering like a snowball on its way, pass him. While he went northward, it came down unopposed upon the Lowlands, entered _Perth_, and advanced towards _Edinburgh_, where James was proclaimed. =12. Taking of Edinburgh.=--The citizens were in the greatest alarm when they heard that the _Highlanders_ had crossed the _Forth_. A small band of volunteers and a regiment of dragoons under _Colonel Gardiner_ marched out to meet the rebels as far as _Colt Bridge_. But when the first shots were fired by a small reconnoitring party from the Highlanders, they turned and galloped back to _Edinburgh_. This shameful flight was called the _Canter of Coltbrigg_. Charles summoned the city to surrender; the perplexed magistrates, not knowing what to do, tried to win time by sending repeated messages to Charles. But early the following morning a body of five hundred _Camerons_ under _Lochiel_ surprised and entered one of the city gates. They then secured the watchmen, opened the other gates, and thus the city was in the hands of the rebels. At noon of the same day the heralds and pursuivants were obliged to proclaim _James_ at the _Cross_ as _King James the Eighth_, and to read his _Royal Declaration_ and the _Commission of Regency_. Charles entered the city the same day, _September 17_, and took up his quarters in the Palace of Holyrood. That night all the Jacobites in the city gathered at a ball to celebrate his arrival.