“Because your lordship has others of mair importance to attend to than an auld trooper, who has only his sword to offer you.” “Hout awa! your sword is worth a thousand men, brigadier, and that ye ken fu' weel. You are the man of all others I must have with me, heart and hand.” “I am a man of few words as your lordship kens--I am ready to do your bidding.” “Aweel then, your kinsman, Colonel Mackintosh, has promised to raise a regiment of six or seven hundred Highland men.” “And so wad I, if I could only find the callants. But they are few and far to seek at Borlum.” “What say you to taking the command of the Clan Chattan?” “That belongs to our chief, unless----” “He chooses to resign it to another, and I approve his choice. Will you take it?” “Gladly,” replied the brigadier, his eyes sparkling with satisfaction. “Is this a' your lordship has to say to me, at present?” “Ye are in a confounded hurry,” cried the earl, detaining him. “Hear me to an end.” “My lord, I am all attention.” “When all our forces have assembled, a strong detachment, to consist of five or six regiments, will be sent south to march with the Lowlanders and the Northumbrian insurgents to London. You shall command the detachment. If any man can make a rapid march, you can, brigadier. Long before you reach London, you will have a considerable army, for you are certain to receive large reinforcements in every county through which you pass--especially in Lancashire and Cheshire. You will, therefore, be able to give battle to all the forces the Hanoverian usurper can bring against you. Win that battle and the crown is gained for the prince.” The brigadier drew his broadsword and kissed the hilt. “I swear to devote myself to this enterprise!” he cried. “Turn back who may, I never will!” Thereupon he bowed and retired, looking greatly elated. III.--HOW THE STANDARD WAS SET UP, AND KING JAMES PROCLAIMED AT CASTLETOWN. |SHORTLY afterwards the whole party proceeded to the castle, where a grand banquet awaited them. Even more wine was drunk on this occasion than on the previous day, and the company vied with each other in demonstrations of loyalty. But the crowning act, that was to confound their enemies and confirm their friends, took place on the following day. The whole party assembled after breakfast, but without hounds or huntsmen. A dozen sturdy bagpipers made the court ring with their shrill strains, announcing that the Earl of Mar was about to proceed to Castletown, which was not more than a mile off, attended by all the nobles and chiefs, and all their vassals and retainers, to set up the standard and proclaim King James. The principal personages were on horseback--the rest on foot. At the head of the cavalcade was the Earl of Mar, and on his right rode Lord Charles Murray, who carried the standard.