“I will rejoin your lordship at Jedburgh,” he said. “But if I find General Carpenter and his force on the move, you will see me sooner.” With this he bowed and quitted the room, and almost before the council had broken up he was on the other side of the Tweed. “Brigadier,” said General Forster, addressing Mackintosh, after some further discussion had taken place; “before we separate I must ask you plainly if you mean to march with us to London?” “I will answer frankly, general,” replied Mackintosh. “My men will never enter England unless they are certain of their pay.” “Is that the only difficulty?” said Lord Derwentwater. “I feared from what has been said, that they might be averse to a campaign in England.” “So they are, my lord,” replied the brigadier. “But possibly their aversion may be overcome by the certainty of good pay.” “Make them quite easy on that score,” said Lord Derwentwater. “I will provide the money.” “When my men learn your lordship's generous promise,” said Mackintosh, “I doubt not they will be very grateful.” “'Tis but a small subsidy to the king,” said Lord Derwentwater. “I would give my whole property to set him on the throne.” “Truly, your lordship sets us all a good example, which we ought to follow,” said Lord Kenmure. “And now for Jedburgh!” About an hour later, much to the relief of the inhabitants, who began to fear that a battle would be fought under their walls, the whole insurgent force quitted Kelso, having stayed there three days. V--FURTHER DISSENSIONS. |The Northumbrians reached their destination first, and as the others did not arrive, they rode back to see what had happened to them and found the South Country Scots drawn up on the road about two miles from the town, and waiting for the Highlanders, who, in their turn, had halted to receive General Carpenter--believing he was in pursuit. These false alarms caused some delay, but eventually the whole force reached Jedburgh. Next day another council of war was held, and the same dissension prevailed as before, threatening to end in a rupture among the chiefs. Previously to the meeting Lord Wintoun, who had had a private conference with Mackintosh, was persuaded that the brigadier would support him. But he was mistaken--the old warrior would not desert the Northumbrians, though it was evident he himself was unwilling to quit Scotland. While they were still engaged in angry and fruitless discussion, Captain Gordon returned. “What news do you bring us, sir?” demanded Lord Kenmure. “Has General Carpenter crossed the Border?”