The third and forth troops, were respectively commanded by Captain John Hunter and Captain Robert Douglas, the first of whom had been a contraband trader of great daring and skill, and the other a Border farmer, who had been employed by Forster in searching for horses and arms, and had been extraordinarily successful. Some objection was made to these two persons on the score of position, but it was urged by Forster that they would be of great use. The fifth and last troops was commanded by Captain Wogan. The first and second troops were composed of gentlemen, who were quite as well mounted and well armed as their leaders. Many of them had thoroughbred horses--much better adapted for speed than endurance--and the rest were provided with hunters. Not being able to procure military saddles, they were obliged to content themselves with those in ordinary use; and their equipments were by no means complete. Still, in spite of these drawbacks, they presented a very gallant appearance when drawn up in the market-place to proclaim King James. XIV.--THE EARL'S BRIEF VISIT TO DILSTON. |After the business of the day was concluded General Forster and the officers sat down to dinner, but Lord Derwentwater excused himself from joining the party as he wished to ride over to Dilston. He did not take a servant with him, and said he should return by midnight. It was growing dusk as he rode through the woods that skirted his domains, but it was quite light enough to enable him to distinguish the castle. His heart was sad as he gazed at it for he felt he could not remain there. The place seemed his own no longer. However, he strove to stifle these painful feelings, and they soon gave way to other emotions. Still, he could not banish the notion that the place was changed, though in what respect he could scarcely tell, for a groom came to take his horse, and Newbiggin welcomed him at the entrance, and with a manifestation of delight that could not fail to touch his master. “I hope your lordship is coming to remain with us--at least, for a few days?” said the butler. “Alas! no,” replied the earl. “I must return to Hexham to-night, and to-morrow morning we march to Rothbury.” The butler looked quite cast down. “I fear Dilston will never again be what it was, my lord,” he said. “How I wish your lordship could give up this perilous expedition and return to us.” “That is impossible, Newbiggin,” said the earl, scarcely able to repress a sigh. “I must go on now. But where is the countess?” “She is here,” cried a well-known voice. And next moment she flew towards him, and was clasped in his arms. It is very questionable whether Lord Denventwater's brief visit to his mansion was not productive of more pain to him than pleasure.