honour and therefore if charging couragiously they should break in amongst the thickest of the enemy no one could say but that they fell gallantly Montrose concurred with neither of these for he could never be brought to forsake so good men as he had in the extremest danger and preferred an honourable death among his souldiers before dishonourable safety But for all that for men that were so much out-numbred by them to run desperately upon the enemy and as it were to dash out their own brains against the stones was the very last refuge and not hastily to be made use of therefore as we ought not to tempt Almighty God by our own wretchlesnesse and negligence so neither ought any valiant man or good Christian despair of his assistance in a just cause Lastly he exhorts every one to do his own part and referre the successe to God and other things to his own care and industry Immediately he sends out four hundred Foot before him and commands them that as much as they possibly could without breaking their ranks they should make all speed Then he appoints two hundred of the activest men he had to follow them and he with his Horse brings up the Rear The Horse trooped on in so open order that if occasion were they might have room enough to receive light musquetiers He believed the enemies Foot were not able to overtake them and if their Horse only should charge them which they would hardly adventure to do he conceived it was no matter of extreme difficulty to make their part good against them besides the Sun was ready to set and the darknesse of the night would be commodious for their retreat The enemy understanding the number of them that went away first by some prisoners they had taken and after that by their own view assoon as they saw they were disposed rather for a journey than a battell divide their Forces into two parts and so pursue them Wherein their intention was not only to fall upon the Rear and the Flank at once but also to secure against them all passages up to the Highlands And their Commanders the more to encourage their Souldiers to a hot pursute proposed twenty thousand Crowns to any one that could bring in Montrose's head And now the Van of the enemies Horse began to cloze up unto the retreaters whereupon those good musquetiers that lined Montrose's Horse welcomed one and another and another of the forwardest of them with bullets in their sides with whose mischance the rest becoming more wary abated of the eagernesse of their pursute And Montrose's souldiers when they saw they had been too hard for the enemies Foot at a march and had got before them taking heart and courage they skirmished stoutly with their Horse untill the night parted the quarrell And to rid themselves some way of the enemy took their way East-ward many miles by the sea-coast However that was not their way but to go Northward toward Grainsbain and so to deliver themselves from their mischievous Horse But Baily had laid the greatest part of his Army between them and Grainsbain that there might be no place for them to retreat unto Therefore at the dead of the night when they were not far from Aberbroth Montrose commands his men to make a stand a while And long they stood not before he considering with himself that all wayes and passages straight into the Mountains might be laid by the enemies Horse and he was not mistaken commands them to face about and march South-west And by this art though with intolerable pains he beguiled the Pursuers whom that same night he passed by and then turning Northward by the next morning at Sunrising passed over South-Eske at a place not far from Careston Castle and from thence sent to Breichin to fetch those men which he had there with the Carriages But that had not needed for they upon the report of this expedition had provided for themselves better more timely and had taken the Mountains VVhiles he staid at Careston the Scouts brought him word on a sudden that the enemies Horse were in sight and their Foot being refresht with victualls and sleep march'd after them apace Montrose himself being now within three miles of the Mountains was not much afraid of them but his souldiers who had not slept for three dayes and two nights but had all that while been either on their march or in fight were overcome with so dead sleep that they could hardly be raised without pricks and wounds The enemy being at last entertained with a light skirmish suffered Montrose to possesse himself of the bottome of the Mountains and having done nothing to the purpose retreated from their vain pursute So he and his men came to Gleneske And this was that so much talk'd-of Expedition of Dundee infamous indeed for the mistake of the Scouts but as renowned as any for the valour constancy and undaunted resolution of the General and even admirable for the hardinesse of the Souldier in encountering all extremities with patience for threescore miles together they had been often in fight alwayes upon their march without either meat or sleep or the least refreshment Which whether forein Nations or after times will believe I cannot tell but I am sure I deliver nothing but what is most certain of mine own knowledge And truly amongst expert Souldiers and those of eminent note both in England Germany and France I have not seldome heard this Expedition of his preferred before Montrose's greatest victories CHAP. X. ANd now being safe beyond expectation Montrose bids the souldiers take their rest whiles he determines thus of the whole affair of the War He sends the Lord Gordon together with those that had continued loyal and dutifull after the revolt of his brother Lewis into their own Country both that they might recall those whom his Brother had seduced away and recruit themselves by levying new forces Which he cheerfully and couragiously performed and though he spared none yet he was most severe with those that had been authors or accessaries to his Brothers defection and he was the more active in that businesse that he might acquit himself of any suspition Nor indeed did Montrose himself or any other more detest that villany of Lewis Gordon than that noble Lord his Brother As for Montrose he with a small party for he kept but five hundred Foot and fifty Horse with him marches through Angus into Perthshire that he might distract the enemy till such time as he had made up his Army with recrutes from every side Neither was he out in his aim for the Covenanters had sent Hurrey the Lieutenant General of the Horse with a Command into the North of a party of six hundred old Foot and two hundred Horse that he might strengthen their own-side and suppresse the Lord Gordon And Baily himself staid with an Army at Perth as in the very heart of the Kingdom ready to wait upon all
sent some to hasten him lest they should lose the opportunity of doing their businesse He also complained but in a soft and gentle manner as before a faithfull friend that Aboine's lingring and delay was in the fault that a brave victory by which he conceived the Rebells might have been utterly subdued had slipt out of his hands which misfortune no man doubted but his speed and diligence might have prevented The enemy when they understood that he onely cheated them with a false Muster of Horse having gotten aid from all parts and by this time over-numbring him even in Foot labour'd not onely to provoke but even compell him to-fight Whereupon he concluded to step aside a little into the neighbouring Mountains whither he knew either the enemy would not advance or if they did it would be to their losse Therefore the enemy drawing near with all their Army to Methfyn he gives a private command for the Carriages to drive fast up the hills whiles he as if he intended to fight orders the battell makes good the passes with strong guards and draws up the Horse into the Front Nor did the enemy expect any other than to try it out by battail which he made as if he would give till such time as the Carriages were got so far before that he conceiv'd them out of danger and then he commands the Army in one body at their close order to march away apace He gave charge unto such Horse as he had and his ablest Fire-locks to bring up the Rear and to secure them from the enemies Horse The enemy providing for a present charge as they expected when they saw Montrose retreating first pursued eagerly though to no purpose for he making good all passes as he went easily repulsed them and without losse of so much as one private Souldier came chearfully off into the heights and steep places that were unaccessible unto the enemies Horse and for their Foot they fear'd no assault from them It is remarkable that when Montrose's Horse were come up into the passes and the enemy knew very well they were not able to persue any further lest with all that pains they should seem to have done nothing at all they sent out three hundred of their ablest and readiest Horse to follow after them with a great shout and base language whom when Montrose saw he call'd for onely twenty active bodied men of the Highlanders that were used to hunting and very good marks-men and commanded them to check their insolence and they first of all creeping hither and thither and hiding their Guns took their aimes so well that they knockt down some of the forwardest of those men who being men of the better sort by their example made the rest more wary so that they were all contented to retreat But those good huntsmen being encouraged with their good successe as soon as they saw their enemies disorder'd came into the open plain and resolutely charged their Horse who in as much fear as Bucks or Does chased by the Hunters set spurs to their Horses and fled back to their main body as if the Devill were in them The enemy upon their retreat chose that place for their Rendezvouz from whence Montrose departed Methfyns Forest after they had done nothing worthy to be remembred in all that expedition but that when they found themselves unable to cope with men they exercised their cruelry upon women for all the wives of the Irish and Highlanders that they light of who followed the Camp for the love of their Husbans most basely and shamelesly they hew'd in pieces Montrose kept his quarters at little Dunkel both because the place was cumbersome and unpassable for Horse and lay very conveniently for receiving such aids as he dayly expected with Aboine out of the North. All which time the two spleenative Armies lying close together rather stood upon their guards than offered any affront one to the other And now at length Aboine and Collonel Nathaniel Gordon brought up their men out of the North to Dunkel men for their number indeed fewer than was expected but for their stournesse and true valour farre above their number The Horse they brought were only two hundred and some sixscore Firelocks whom they had mounted and made Dragoons other Foot they brought none Along with them came tht Earl of Airley and Sir David his Sonne with fourscore Horse most of them of the noble family of the Ogilbies amongst whom Alexander Son and heir of Sir John Ogilby of Innarwharatie was most eminent not only for the rare accomplishments of his person and the splendor of his Ancestors but for the honour of his valiant and happy atchievements much above what his age could promise Montrose being thus well recruited thought it not good to lose anytime but marched straight towards the enemy But as soon as he came to Amonde he thought it best to see in what condition the enemy was and to find out whether that was true which he had receiv'd a flying report of that was that very many of their Auxiliaries had deserted their colours and run home Therefore leaving his Foot to take their rest a little before night he fac'd the enemy with his Horse with which sight being something affrighted they kept within their trenches And next morning early Montrose riding about to discover was informed that they had stollen away at the dead of the night to Methfyn and in disorder had got over a Bridge upon the Erne He instantly causes his men to march and passing the river at a stone-bridge about six miles off lay that night in Strath-Erne CHAP. XIII FIfe is the most populous the most rich the thickest Country Towns and Villages in all Scotland Its Inhabitants are little martial consisting most of Merchants Shopkeepers Mariners and Husbandmen But so new-fangled in their Religion and so bewitched both by the example and authority of the Nobility and by the Sermons of their seditious Ministers that all of them upon the matter were extremely addicted to the Covenanters The Country it self is almost an Island being inviron'd towards the South with the Scotish Fyrth on the North with the Tay which carrieth ships of great burden all along on the East with the main Sea No entrance thither by land but on the West in the straights of which both Armies lay The whole Country was in a distraction some especially their much admired Preachers that thundered nothing but Excommunications inciting and compelling all of every estate and age to take up armes others flocking in great numbers unto them others running hither and thither to hide themselves as every one was led by his own superstition confidence or fear Montrose was very desirous to assault the enemy and try the fortune of a bâ—ttel with them before they increas'd their Forces with addition of the Fife-men but it would not be For they had so fortified themselves by the advantage of the ground and the narrowness of the passages
stood but now lies on the ground Here a brave young gentleman Sir Thomas Ogilby Son to the Earl of Airley with others of the Gentry of Angus met him and readily offered him their service whom he curteously entertained and sent them a way with thanks they pretending they only went to fit themselves for a march neverthelesse few of them returned besides the Ogilbies Next morning by break of-day before the Revellier was beat there was a great tumult in the Camp the Souldiers ran to their armes and sell to be wild and raging Montrose guessing that it was some falling out between the Highlanders and the Irish thrust himself amongst the thickest of them there he finds a horrible murther newly committed for the noble Lord Kilpont lay there basely slain The murtherer was a retainer of his own one Stuart whom he had treated with much friendship and familiarity in somuch that that same night they lay both in a bed It is reported that the base slave bad a plot to dispatch Montrose and in regard of the great power he had with Kilpontin he conceived he might draw him in to be accessary to the villany therefore taking him aside into a private place he had discovered unto him his intentions which the Nobleman highly detested as was meet whereupon the murtherer fearing he would discover him assaulted him unawares and stabbed him with many wounds who little suspected any harm from his friend and creature The treacherous assassine by killing a Centinel escaped none being able to pursue him it being so dark that they could scarce see the ends of their Pikes Some say the traitor was hired by the Covenanters to do this others only that he was promised a reward if he did it Howsoever it was this is most certain that he is very high in their favour unto this very day and that Argyle immediately advanced him though he was no souldier to great commands in his Army Montrose was very much troubled with the losse of this Nobleman his dear friend and one that had deserved very well both from the King and himself a man famous for Arts and arms and honesty being a good Philosopher a good Divine a good Lawyer a good Souldier a good Subject and a good man And embracing the breathlesse body again and again with sighes and teares he delivers it to his sorrowfull friends and servants to be carried to his parents to receive its funeral Obsequies as became the splendor of that honourable Family With the rest of his Forces Montrose marcheth to Dundee the Town being proud of the number of its inhabitants and having a Garrison out of Eife beside refused to submit And he thinking it no wisdome to hazard the honour he had gotten by his late victory upon the doubtful successe of a siege turns away toward Esk for he hoped that many of his friends and kindred being men of greatest note in those parts and who used to talk as highly what they would do for the King as any others would be ready to joyn with him But they having news of his approach withdrew themselves only the Lord Ogilby Earl of Airley a man of threescore years old with his two Sons Sir Thomas and Sir David and some of his friends and clients men of experienced resolutions joyned himself unto him and with admirable constancy he went along with him through all fortunes unto the very end of the War being in that almost universal defection the other honour and ornament of the Nobility of Scotland besides Montrose While Montrose was hereabouts he receives intelligence that some Commissioners from the Covenanters of whom the Lord Burghly was the principal lay at Aberdene with an Army and laboured to assure unto themselves the Northern parts upon which Montrose especially relyed either by fair means or foul He determines to fight these immediately before Argyle could come up to them therefore with long marches he hies thither and possessing himself of the bridge upon the river of Dee and drawing near the City he found the enemy drawn up close beside it Burghley commanded two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse whom he placed in wings and having chosen his ground and planted his great Guns before his men he expected battel Montrose had fifteen hundred Foot for the Lord Kilponts souldiers were gone to convey their Lords dead body to his parents and most of the Athole-men after the victory of Perth were gone home from whence they were not farr laden with spoil and just four and forty Horse of whom he made two divisions and mixing amongst them the best fire-men and Archers that he had who in nimblenesse and swiftnesse of body were almost as good as Horsemen placed them on either wing to prevent the falling of the enimies horse upon his rear which they performed most gallantly beyond the opinion or perhaps the belief of many He gave the command of the right flank to James Hay and Nathaniel Gordon and of the left to Sir William Rollock all valiant men The left wing of the enemy was commanded by Lewis Gordon Son to the Marquesse of Huntley a bold young man and hot spirited but hair brain'd and one that had forced out his fathers friends and clients to fight with Montrose against their wills He having gotten the plain and most commodious ground for fighting on horse-back charged Montrose's right flank which when he perceived he commanded Rollock with his twenty Horse to their aid and they being backed with the gallantry of their Commanders and the activity and stoutnesse of the Foot amongst them received the charge with so much hardinesse that they four and forty beat back full three hundred of the enemy routing all and killing very many But because they were so few they durst not follow the chase which was forborn by the great prudence of the Commanders and proved to be of great consequence towards the obtaining of the victory for the enemy charged Montrose's left Flank which had no Horse with their right Wing of Horse Montrose therefore in a trice now that Lewis Gordon and his men were fled conveighs the same Horse to the left Flank who seeing they were not able to draw themselves into a Body like the enemies fetch'd a compasse about and so escaped their first charge then neatly wheeling about they fell upon the Flank of the enemy and with their naked swords beat and cut and vanquisht and put them to flight They took prisoners one Forbes of Kragevar a Knight of great esteem with the enemy and another Forbes of Boindle Those that retreated got safe away because that so few could not safely pursue them They that commanded the enemies Horse were not so much frighted with their losse as vexed with the disgrace of a double repulse therfore imputing their defeat to those light firelocks that were mixed with Montroses Horse they themselves call for Foot-men out of their main Body intending to return with greater courage Montrose suspected that and
the Lord Forbeses called Druminore where he staid two dayes And at last he understands the enemy had quitted the passes and was marching toward Strathbogy so he at break of day sets forth towards a village called Alford But Baily when he had gotten certain notice that Mac-donald with a considerable part of those Forces was absent in the Highlands he voluntarily pursues Montrose conceiving him to be stealing away and about noon began to face him Montrose determines to wait for the enemy who as seemed to him came towards him upon the higher ground but Baily turning aside some three miles to the left hand Montrose holds on his intended march to Alford where he staid that night the enemy lying about four miles off The next day after Montrose commands his men very early in the morning to stand to their arms and make ready to battell and placed them on a hill that stands over Alford And as he with a Troop of Horse was observing the motion and order of the enemy and viewing the fords of the Done a river which runs by Alford it was told him that the enemy Horse and Foot were making unto a ford which lay a mile from Alford to the intent that they might cut off the Rear of their flying enemy for so those excellent Diviners prophesied to their own destruction Montrose leaving that Troop of Horse not farre from the Ford together with some select and understanding men who should give him perfect intelligence of all things he returneth alone to order the battel And above all things he possesses himself of Alford hill where he might receive the charge of the enemy if they fell on desperately Behind him was a moorish place full of ditches and pits which would prevent Horse falling upon his Rear befote him was a steep hill which kept his men from the enemies view so that they could hardly perceive the formost ranks He had scarce given order for the right managing of all things when those Horse whom he had left at the Ford returned with a full cariere and bring word that the enemy had passed the River And novv it vvas no more safe for either of them to retreat vvithout the apparent ruine of their party It is reported that Baily like a skilful and vvary Commander vvas sore against his will drawn unto this battel nor had engaged had he not been necessitated unto it by the rashnesse of the Lord Balcarise a Collonel of Horse who precipitated himself and the Horse under his command into that danger whether Baily would or no as that he could not be brought off without the hazard of the whole Army Montrose gave the command of his right wing on which side the enemies Horse were most strong unto the Lord Gordon and appointed Nathaniel Gordon an old Commander to his assistance The command of the left wing was given to the Earl of Aboine to whom also was joyned Sir William Rollock And of the main battel to two valiant men Glengar and Drumond of Ball the younger unto whom he added George Graham Master of the Camp an expert Souldier also The Reserve which was altogether hid behind the hill was commanded by his Nephew Napier And for a while Montrose kept himself upon the height and the enemy in the valley being fortified with pits and ditches for it was neither safe for the latter to charge up the hill nor for the former to fall upon them that were surrounded with marshes and pooles The numbers of the Foot were in a manner even either side had about two thousand but Baily was much stronger in Horse for he had six hundred and Montrose but two hundred and fifty Only Montrose had this advantage that the enemy were for the most part hirelings raised from dunghils but those that served the King Gentlemen who fought for a good Cause and Honour gratis and not for gain and such as esteem'd it more becoming to die than to be overcome Besides Montrose knew that the greatest part of the old Souldiers were gone with Lindsey and the new ones would be so frighted with the shouts of the Armies and the noise of Trumpets that they would scarce stand the first charge Therefore in confidence of so just a cause and so valiant assertors of it he first drew down his men and immediately the Lord Gordon giving a smart charge upon them was courageously receiv'd by the enemy who trusted to the multitude of their Horse and now being clos'd and come to handy-blows no one could advance a foot but over his vanquished enemy nor retreat by reason of the pressing on of those in the Rear The first that made way for themselves and their men by a great slaughter of their enemies were the two Gordons the Lord and the Collonel and Collonel Nathaniel called out unto those expert Firelocks who now lin'd the Horse as they were wont Come on my fellow souldiers throw down your now useless guns draw your swords and sheath them in the Rebels Horse or hamstring them They instantly took the word of command and at the same time Montrose drawes up Napier with his Reserve which lay out of sight on the other side of the hill at whose sudden and unexpected coming the enemy affrighted betook himself to his heels Aboine with the left wing kept off nor did he attempt the enemy but by light skirmishes in small parties who when they saw their own men on their left wing routed and put to flight made their retreat with little losse There Foot being deserted by their Horse after they had desperately stood out a while and reâ—used quarter were almost all cut off The fall of the Lord Gordon was no little advantage to the escape of their Horse who after the battel was won rushing fiercely into the thickest of them received a shot thorow his body by the conquered and flying enemy and fell down dead Whom also Aboine did not hotly pursue being much troubled with the losse of his brother In this battel Montrose did not lose so much as one common Souldier and of Gentlemen one Culchol and one Melton whose names and families I should most willingly have inserted had I been so happy as to have knowledge of them because they died gallantly in the bed of Honour fighting for their King their Liberty and the Laws Nor are some Pedees as well Scotch as Irish to be forgotten boyes scarce fourteen yeares of age apiece who throwing down their Masters luggage and mounting upon their Nags and Sumpter-horses did not only make a fair appearance of a body of Horse but as if they had been Corrivals in valour with their Masters beyond what might be expected from their years and strength fell in among the thickest of their enemies Of whom some but very few were slain nor did they sell their lives for nothing and by that they gave an ample testimony of their towardnesse and of so manly a spirit in children as might prescribe to riper years
encouraged by their authority and example shewed themselves very ready and chearfull And they wanted not long an occasion to shew it for the remainder of the Argylian party either by reason of a general scarcity of all things in their own Country or being driven out of their Country for fear of Mac-donald who was very strong and threatned their ruine fell upon the Mac-gregories and Mac-nabies who sided with Montrose And afterward joyning unto themselves the Stuarts which inhabit Balwidder and the Menises and other Highlanders who still followed Argyles fortune were reported to make up some fifteen hundred men and were ready to invade At hole unlesse timely opposed And truly they had already fired an Iland in Logh-Torchet after they had taken it by force and pillaged it and had besieged Ample Castle which lyeth on the side of the river of that name Which assoon as they had intelligence of the Athole-men being only seven hundred in all under the Command of the aforesaid Graham and Drummond thought best to oppose them before they brake in into their Country They upon the alarm of the advance of the Athole-men raised the siege of Ample and retreated toward Taich The Athole-men pursued them hotly and find them in battell-arry not far from Kalandar a Castle of Taich For they had possessed a ford and manned the bank on the other side which was fortified with a steep hill with a number of Musquetiers Which when the Athole-men saw and perceived that their Forces were not so strong as was reported for they had not aboue twelve hundred men although they themselves were scarce seven hundred strong yet being heartned by the gallantry and encouragement of their Commanders they were resolved not to stay to receive the enemies charge but to charge them Therefore they place a hundred good souldiers over against the enemy as it were to make good the Ford on the other side and the rest marched away unto another Ford near the Castle that they might get over the river there The Argylians when they perceived the Athole men so resolute retreat straight towards Sterling Then first of all those Athole-men that were left below at the Ford possesse themselves of the bank which the enemy had quit after that they fall upon the Rear of the retreaters cut off some scatter others drive others forward and the rest of the Athole-men following hard after put them all to flight Fourscore of them were slain the rest escaped by flight who fared the better because that same morning the Athole-men had had a foul and tedious march of ten miles long and had no Horse at all to help themselves So they having come off with credit returned home At that time the Rebells held their Convention of Estates at Saint Andrews which they polluted with the Innocent and I fear crying blood of men never sufficiently to be commended They had amongst their prisoners some very eminent men as appeared by the hatred the Rebells bare them for they scarce sought the blood of any but the best of men but for others of whom they were not so much affraid they satisfied themselves only with their Sequestration and Plunder amonst whom were the Lord Ogilby Sir William Spotswood William Murray a noble young Gentleman and Andrew Guthery a stout Gentleman and active whom they determined to put to death in that City to appease the Ghosts of the men of that Province with their blood of whom it is reported above five thousand had been slain in severall battells Now because they intended not to proceed against them by Law but according to their own lusts they have recourse to their old shifts and make Religion draw the curtain over their cruelty To which purpose they set up their Prophets Kant and Blair and others that were possessed with the same spirit who roar'd out their Pulpits bloody Oâ—â—â—â—es before the people That God required the blood of those men nor could the sins of the Nation be otherwise expiated or the revenge of heaven diverted And by this art especially they provoked the hearts of the people otherwise inclined to pitty to think upon them as accursed things and own'd and devoted to destruction perswading them that they ought to have no protection of humane Laws nor any Advocate to plead for them whom God himself indited and accus'd Nor did those excellent interpreters and deciders of Gods secret will make any scruple to sentence the souls and bodies and all of so great Delinquents unto hell and damnation And having by this means blinded the people it was easie for them who were their acusers and judges both to condemn the innocent men who were destitute of all Patronage and protection But Ogilby who was not only the most eminent of them for Nobility and power but also was a Hamilton by his mothers side and cozen-german to Lindsey pretending himself sick with much adoe got so much favour as to have his mother wife and sisters suffered to visit him in prison Which when he had obtain'd whilst the Keepers in reverence to the honourable Ladies withdrew out of his chamber he immediately puts on his sisters gown which she had put off and was dressed in all her attire She also put on his cap in which he used to lie sick in bed and lay down instead of her brother At last many salutations and some tears passing on both sides at eight of the clock in the night in the habit and likenesse of his sister he deceived his Keepers who lighted him out with candles and torches And immediately departing the City he took horse which he had laid for him with two of his followers and before morning was got out of danger But when the next day his observant Keepers had found out their mistake Argyle was so unable to contain his wrath and revenge that he would needs have the noble Ladies and the more noble for this their compassion and adventure brought in question for it But he could not effect it for by reason of the equity of their cause they found much stronger friends than he could of the Hamiltons and Lindsey by whose connivence it is conceived by many that all this Comedy was acted but in a thing that is uncertain I shall determine nothing This cleanly conveighance of Ogilby out of their hands vext the Rebels exceedingly and made them almost wild whence it happened that they made a quick dispatch of the rest And the first that suffered was Colonel Nathaniel Gordon a man of excellent endowments both of body and mind Who being near unto his death bitterly lamented with many tears that the carriage of his youth had been much otherwise than it ought to have been And when being ready to die they offered him an Instrument to signe wherein he was to testifie his repentance he subsctibed it without any more ado and withall call'd God and his Angels and the men there present to witness that if any thing was contained in that
the right flank Sir James Scot the left and the Earl of Tullibardin the battel To the right and left flanks were added wings of horse with which they made no doubt on so fair a Plain to hem in the enemy Montrose perceiving the great body of the enemy and especially their strength in Horse for he had not so much as one Horse-man nor more than three lean horses and being carefull as it concerned him lest being incompassed with so great a number they should fall upon him in the Front Rear and Flank he caused his Army to be drawn out to as open order as could be possible and makes his files only three deep He commands the Ranks all to discharge at once those in the first Rank kneeling in the second stooping and in the hindmost where he placed the tallest men upright he chargeth them also to have a care of mis-pending their powder of which they had so small store and that they should not so much as make a shot till they came to the very teeth of their enemies and assoon as they had discharged their muskets once a piece immedidiately to break in upon the enemy with their swords and musket ends which if they did he was very confident the enemy would never endure the charge Montrose undertakes the Command of the right Flank over against Sir James Scot appoints the left to the Lord Kilpont and the main Battel to Mac-Donald with his Irish which was very providently ordered lest the Irish who were neither used to fight with long Pikes nor were furnished with swords if they had been placed on either flank should have been exposed to the fury of the Scotch-Horse Montrose had sent unto the Commanders of the enemy Drummond Son and Heir to the Lord Maderty a noble Gentleman and accomplished with That Montrose as well as the Kings Majesty from whom he had received his Commission was most lender of shedding his Countreys blood and had nothing more in his devotions than that his victories might be written without a red Letter And such a victory they might obtain as well as he if they should please but to have the honour to conquer themselves and before a stroke were struck to return unto their Allegiance That for his part he was covetous of no mans wealth ambitious of no mans honour envious of no mans preferment thirsty after no mans blood all that he desired was that in the name of God they would at length give ear to sound counsell and submit themselves and what belonged unto them unto the grace and protection of so good a King who as he had hitherto condescended unto all things either for matter of Religion or any thing else which they thought good to ask though to the exceeding great prejudice of his Prerogatives so still they might find him like an indulgent Father ready to embrace his penitent children in his arms although he had been provoked with unspeakable injuries But if they should continue still obstinate in their Rebellion he called God to witnesse that it was their own stubbornesse that forced him to the present encounter The Commanders of the enemies answered nothing at all to all this but against the Law of Nations sent the Messenger who out of meer love to his Countrey had undertaken the employment prisoner with a company of rude Souldiers unto Perth vowing assoon as they had got the victory to cut off his head But God was more mercifull to him and provided otherwise than they intended for the safety of that gallant man They were come within musket shot when the enemies under the Command of the Lord Drummand sent out a forlorne hope to provoke Montrose to a light skirmish he sends a few to meet them who at first onset disorder and rout them sending them back to their main body in no small fright Montrose thought now was his opportunity and that nothing could conduce more either to the encouragement of his own souldiers or the terrour of the enemy than immediatly to fall upon them as they were disordred and astonished with that fresh blow nor would he give them time to rally or recover courage therefore setting up a great shout he lets loose his whole Army upon them The enemy first at distance discharge their Ordnance which made more noise than they did harm afterwards marching forward their Horse labour to break in upon Montroses Souldiers those when their powder was spent and many of them had neither Pikes nor scarce Swords they stoutly entertain with such weapons as the place would afford good stones of which they poured in such numbers amongst them with so greatstrength and courage that they forced them to retreat and to trouble them no more For the Irish and Highlanders striving bravely whether should outvie the other in valour bore up so eagerly when they gave ground that at last they betook themselves to the nimblenesse of their Horses heels There was something more to do a little while longer in the right Flank Sir Iames Scot disputed some time for the higher ground but Montroses men being stronger bodied and especially swifter footmen obtained the Hill from thence the Athole men rushed down with their drawn swords upon the enemy and making little account of the musquetiers who sent their bullets amongst them as thick as hail closing with them as they lik'd best to fight they slash'd and beat them down At last the enemy not able to abide their fury fairly ran away Most of the Horse made so good speed as to save themselves but there was a great slaughter of the Foot whom they pursued for six or seaven miles There were conceived to be two thousand of the Covenanters slain and more were taken prisoners of whom some taking a Military Oath took up arms again with the Conquerour but perfidiously for almost all forsook him afterwards The rest taking a Solemn Protestation that they would never after bear arms against the King he set at liberty He took in Perth the same day without doing the least harm unto the City although most of the Citizens had fought against him in this battell thinking by so great clemency to turn the hearts of the people towards their King which was the only end to which he directed all his defigns CHAP. VI. HE staid three dayes at Perth for there he exected many in those parts to come in with their friends and clients armed who upon the noise of the late victory professed themselves most faithfull to the King but none came but the Earl of Kinowl with a few gentlemen of Gowry nor did they continue very constant unto him neither And by this time Argyle was at haud with a great Army of Foot of his own and supplies of Horse were joyned with him out of the South parts therefore Montrose passing over the Tay took up his Quarters in the field for other quarters he seldome had near Couper a little village in Angus where a famous Monastery once
motions Montrose was twelve miles off at a village called Kreif where Baily understood he quartered securely with a very small party who being diligent upon all occasions set out from Beth at the beginning of the night with all his Army that by a speedy march he might at break of day fall unexpected into Montrose's quarters But he found Montrose carefull enough of his businesse and his Foot ready in arms either to march or fight but he with his Horse came up towards the enemy to discover their number and strength And when he found them to be two thousand Foot and five hundred Horse he commanded his men to march speedily away and following the course of the river Erne to make good the fords thereof he with the few Horse that he had was their Rear-guard lest they should have been troden in pieces by the enemies Cavalry And truly he so valiantly repulsed the fierce assault of the enemy that by killing some and routing others he forced them to retreat till at last his Foot after six miles march had made themselves Masters of the passes of Erne So the enemy retreated with the losse of their labour and Montrose that same night being the eighteenth of April quartered at Logh-Erne and came the next day to Balwider where the Earl of Alboine met him who with some few more had escaped out of Carlisle and hearing tydings of Montrose's good successe had at last returned into his Country Leaving Balwidir they advanced to Logh-Catrinet where they receive intelligence that Hurrey had raised great forces in the North and was ready to engage with the Lord Gordon and therefore there was danger that he being an active Souldier and a good Commander should be able to over-master that gallant young Gentleman Therefore Montrose thought it necessary to oppose Hurrey assoon as was possible as well to secure so dear a friend from imminent danger as to be nibbling at the enemies Forces as he found them asunder and to cut off that power by peece-meal which he well knew if it were all in a body would be above his match Therefore by long and continued journeys passing by Balwidir and a Lake of four and twenty miles long out of which the river of Tay breaks forth through Athole and Angus and over Grainsbain through a vale called Glenmuck he came to the midst of Marre There he joyned with the Lord Gordon who had now a thousand Foot and two Hundred Horse and marching straight to the Spey laboured to find out and engage with the enemy Nor was he above six miles off when Hurrey thought he had not yet got over Grainsbain â—for with unwearied labour and incredible speed he had over-run the very report of himself Hurrey lest a battell should be forced upon him whether he would or no before he had received an addition of numerous Auxiliaries in all haste passeth over the Spey And because he had appointed the Rendezvouz of all his freinds at Innernesse hyeth to Elgin nor did Montrose pursue him lazily to Elgin Thence with all speed he passeth to Forresse nor did Montrose make lesse haste to follow and overtake him too at Forresse and sat so close on his skirts for fourteen miles together that notwithstanding he had the advantage of the night he had much adoe to reach Innernesse The next day Montrose incamped at a village called Alderne and Hurrey according to his hopes found the Earls of Seaforth and Suherland the whole sept of the Frasers and most of Murray and Cathnesse and the neighbouring parts to have assembled themselves to Innernesse well appointed To these Hurrey ads som old souldiers of the Garrison of that Town and so draws up against Montrose He now commanded three thousand and five hundred Foot four hundred Horse but Montrose who had no more but fifteen hundred Foot and two hundred Horse had a great mind to retire But not only Hurrey pressed so vehemently upon him that it was scarce possible for him to retreat But Baily also with a Southern Army much stronger than Hurrey's especially in Horse was now got already a great way on that side Gransbaine and marched in great haste towards the Spey What should Montrose doe in this condition He must of necessity either give Hurrey battell or undergoe a far greater hazard of being hemm'd in between two Armies Therfore he resolves to try the fortune of War without delay to commit the successe unto God and chusing the best advantage of ground he could find there to expect the assault of the enemy There was a litle Town that stood upon the height which shadowed the neighbouring valley and some little hills that were higher than the Town behind it that hindered the discovery of any one till they were just upon him In this valley he drawes up his Forces out of the view of the enemy Before the Town he places a few but expert and choice Foot with his Ordnance who were sheltered with such ditches as they found there The right wing he commits to Alexander Mac-donald with four hundred Foot and lodged them in places fortified to their hand with banks and ditches with shrubs also and great stones and commands him to preserve himself entire that he might be a reserve upon all occasions and not to depart from his station which had so good a naturall fence that they might lie there safe enough not only from the enemies Horse but Foot also And with the same good advice he committed to his charge that notable Standard of the Kings which only he was wont to carry before him expecting that the enemy upon the sight of that would order the best of their Forces against that wing which by reason of the disadvantage of the place would be rendred wholly unusefull unto them till such time as he on the flank should take his best advantage against them And to that end drawing the rest of his Forces to the other side he commends the Horse to the Lord Gordon and takes charge of the Foot himself Those few that stood before the Town under the shelter and convert of the banks and ditches seemed as if they were his main battel whereas indeed he had none And for Reserves in that scarcity of men they were not to be thought of The enemy as Montrose most wisely fore-saw assoon as they saw the Kings Standard ordered the most part of their Horse and old Souldiers wherein their chief strength consisted against that And by this time the Van of the enemy began to dispute it with those before the Town and on the right flank and still as their Souldiers were spent drew up fresh men which Montrose because his number was but few could not so easily doe therefore he resolved with all his men that he had on the left flank to make a violent assault upon the enemy at once And whiles he was thinking so to do there comes unto him one whom he knew to be trusty and discreet and
consideration possessed his resolute and noble spirit That the losse of that day was but small and easily regained because but an inconsiderable part of his Forces were there That the Highlanders were the very Nerves and sinewes of the Kingdome and all the North was sound and untouch'd That many of the prime Nobility and men of power many Knights too and Chiefs of their Septs had entred into an association with him who if he should miscarry would be suddenly ruined or corrupted and by that means the Kings party in Scotland utterly subdued Therefore he thought himself bound never to despair of a good cause and the rather lest the King his Master should apprehend the losse of him to be greater than the losse of the battell And while these thoughts were in his head by good hap came in the Marquesse Douglasse and Sir Iohn Dalâ—ell with some other friends not many but faithfull and gallant men who with tears in their eyes out of the abundance of their affection beseech intreat implore him for the honour of his former atchievements for his friends sakes for his Ancestors for his sweet wife and childrens sakes nay for his Kings his Countries and the Churches peace and safeties sake that he would look to the preservation of his person considering that all their hopes depended on him alone under God and that their lives were so bound up with his that they must all live or die together At last Montrose overcome with their intreaties charging thorow the enemy who were by this time more taken up with ransacking the Carriages than following the chase made his escape of those that were so hardy to pursue him some he slew others among whom was one Bruce a Captain of Horse and two Cornets with their Standards he carried away prisoners Whom he entertained curteously and after a few dayes dismist them upon their Parole that they should exchange as many Officers of his of the like quality which Parole they did not over-punctually perform Montrose was gotten scarce three miles from Selkirk when he having overtaken a great number of his own men that went that way he made a pretty considerable party so that being now secure from being fallen upon by the Country people he march'd away by leisure And as he went by the Earl of Traquaires Castle by whose dishonesty he did not yet know that he had been betray'd he sent one before him to call forth him and his Son that he might speak with them but his servants bring word that they were both from home Notwithstanding there are Gentlemen of credit that testifie that they were both within nor did that gallant Courtier only bid the Rebells joy of their victory but was not ashamed to tell abroad not without profuse and ill becoming laughter that Montrose and the Kings forces in Scotland were at last totally routed his own daughter the Countesse of Queensbrig as far as modestly she might blaming him for it Montrose after he had made a holt a while near a Town called Plebis untill the souldiers had refresh'd themselvs and were fit to march many flocking to them from every side at Sun set they all stoutly entered the Town and by break of day next morning by the conduct of Sir Iohn Dalyel especially passed over Cluid at a ford Where the Earls of Crawford and Airley having escaped another way met with him making nothing of the losse of the battell assoon as they saw him out of danger Nor was he lesse joyfull at the safety of his friends than that he had sav'd and pick'd up by the way almost two hundred Horse But although he was already secure enough from the pursute of the enemy neverthelesse he resolved to make what haste he could into Athole that taking his rise there he might draw what forces he could raise of the Highlanders and other friends into the North. Therefore passing first over the Forth and then the Ern having marched through the Sherifdome of Perth by the foot of the Mountains he came thither As he was on his way he had sent before him Douglasse and Airley with a party of Horse into Angus and the Lord Areskin into Marre that they might speedily raise their friends and dependents in those parts and had also sent Sir Iohn Dalyel unto the Lord Carnegy with whom he had lately contracted affinity with Commissions to that purpose Moreover he sent Letters to Mac-donald to require him according to his promise to return with the Highlanders by the day appointed But above all he sollicited Aboine both by Letters and special messengers that he would bring back his friends and clients who were willing enough of themselves and wanted no other encouragement than his authority and example CHAP. XVII IT was towards the latter end of Harvest nor was he corn reap'd in that cold Country nor their houses and cottages which the enemy had butnt repaired against the approaching winter which is for the most part very sharp thereabouts which made the Athole men to abate something of their wonted forwardnesse Yet Montrose prevailed so far with them that they furnished him with four hundred good Foot to wait upon him into the North where there was lesse danger and faithfully promised him upon his return when he was to march South-ward he should command the whole power of the Country Mean time frequent expresses came from Aboine that he would wait upon him immediately with his Forces and Mac-donald promised no lesse for himself and some other Highlanders Areskin signified also unto him that his men were in readinesse and waited for nothing but either Aboines company who was not far off or Montrose's commands About this time there were very hot but uncertain reports of a strong party of Horse that were sent him from the King whom many conceived not to be far from the South borders But other news they had which was too certain to wit that there was a most cruel butchery of what prisoners the Rebels had without any distinction of sex or age some falling into the hands of the Country people were basely murthered by them others who escap'd them and found some pity in them that had so little being gathered together were by order from the Rebel Lords thrown head-long from off a high bridge and the men together with their wives and sucking children drown'd in the River beneath and if any chanced to swim towards the side they were beaten off with pikes and staves and thrust down again into the water The Noble-men and Knights were kept up in nasty prisons to be exposed to the scorn of the vulgar and certainly doom'd at last to lose their heads Montrose was never so much troubled as at this sad news Therefore to the end he might some way relieve his distressed friends being impatient of all delay with wonderfull speed he climbs over Gransbaine and passing through the plains of Marre and Strath-done maketh unto the Lord of Aboine that he might encourage
fewnesse of his number and that his souldiers were much undisciplin'd and unlike to the former with whom he had done so great things began to be averse and have a suspicion of the event Yet have I heard some say which knew well enough the situation of that Country that if he had not been oppressed in the nick he might have gain'd such strengths amongst the hills as might have given him leisure enough to have strengthned his own party and tyred out the enemy Howsoever he was not altogether unmindfull of a retreat there is in that Country a Castle call'd Dumbath the Lord or Laird thereof is the head of a very antient Family but no friend of the Marquesses This Gentleman having left his house in the keeping of his Lady and some servants â—ed to Edinburgh The Lady though the place were naturally fortified yet upon summons delivered it to Colonel Hurry who was sent thither by the Marquess with a party of Foot to reduce it upon condition her goods and estate might be secur'd and she with her servants suffer'd to march away Hurrey having plac'd a Governour and a Garrison as he thought sufficient for the defence of the place return'd to the Marquess who was now advanc'd to the place or neer it where he was to lose at one throw both his life and fortune The Marquesse hearing of the enemies approach made his whole Forces march at a great trot to recover a passe which they were not very far from when he himself in the vanguard discover'd the first party which was Straughans Forlorn hope advancing very fast upon him So that these with their haste and the souldiers running found them both out of breath and order The second Party was commanded by Straughan himself and the Rear-guard as I remember by Colonel Ker for he had divided them in three bodies But now the first party being very near there was a Forlorn hope of a hundred Foot drawn out to meet them who giving fire upon them put them to a disorderly retreat but being immediately seconded by Straughans party they made good their charge and so terrified the Islanders with that breach that most of them threw down their Arms and called for quarter Only the Dutch Companies after they had bestowed a volley or two amongst the Horse retreated into some shrubbs hard by and there very valiantly defended themselvs awhile but were all taken at last There were kill'd in this business to the number of two hundred twelve hundred taken very few escaped For the whole Country being in Arms especially Sunderlands men who came not to the fight but to the execution they kill'd or took Prisoners all such as fled In that skirmish was taken the Standard which he had caus'd to be made of purpose to move the affections of the people with this Motto Judge and revenge my cause O Lord and the portraict of the late King beheaded exactly well done The Standard-bearer a very gallant young Gentleman was kill'd after he had several times refused quarter There was Colonel Hurrey taken the Lord Frenderick Sir Francis Hay of Dalgetie Colonel Hay of Naughton Colonel Gray and most of the Officers and two Ministers The Marquess after he saw the day was absolutely lost threw away his cloak which had the Star on it having receiv'd the order of the Garter a little while before his Sword was likewise found and not very far off his horse which he had forsaken For so soon as he had got clear off that ground where the skirmish was he betook himself to foot and lighting upon one of that Country or one of his own souldiers I know not whether took his Highland apparel from him and so in that habit conveighed himself away But such narrow search being made for him he could not long escape yet he continued in the open fields three or four days without any notice gotten of him At last the Lord of Aston being in arms with some of his Tenants aboard in that search happned on him He had been one of his followers before In that place he had continued three or four dayes without meat or drink with one only man in his company The Marquesse knowing him and believing to find friendship at his hands willingly discover'd himself But Aston not daring to conceal him and being greedy of the reward which was promised to the apprehender by the Councel of State seiz'd upon him and disarm'd him 't is said he profered great summs for his liberty which being in vain he desired to dye by the hands of those who took him rather than be made an object of misery and shame as he knew very well he should by his enraged enemies But neither of his desires was granted but in place of them a strong guard set over him and so conveyed to David Lesley Sraughan having atchieved his business with great expedition and freed the State from this much-fear'd danger returned to Edinburgh leaving the rest of the businesse to Lesley and Holborn where he receiv'd great rewards and thanks for his eminent service not without the great heart-burning of David Lesley who seeing a rivall risen up to his honour and one whom he lookt upon as an upstart souldier have so great successe fretted not a little Howsoever forwards he moves to accomplish the rest of the work which was now of no great consequence for there rested nothing within the Country but only the Castle of Dumbath which being out of all hopes of relief after the defeat so soon as they were perfectly assur'd by some Prisoners whom they knew yielded the Garrison The Governour was Prisoner at mercy The souldiers being Dutch were upon terms to return homewards There was nothing else to be done save the reducing of the Islands and the town of Kirkwall in Orkney where Colonel Johnson and Colonel Harry Graham were left when the Marquesse pass'd over to Cathanes but Montrose either because he could not spare any souldiers or because he expected better successe had left them almost naked though there were several places in those Isles which might have been made very renable Colonel Johnson having understoost of the defeat with those that were with him took shipping and returned from whence he came so did Harry Graham likewise else both of them had casted of the same sawce which their General did Thus Lesteys Forces entred without any resistance seiz'd upon the Arms which Montrose had brought thither together with two pieces of Ordnance The Queen of Sweden had given him a little Friggot of sixteen Guns which lay in the Harbour the Master of which being gone ashore into one of the Islands the Company seeing the event of the businesse revolted and brought in that likewise The victorie being now compleat there was a solemn day of thanksgiving appointed through the whole Kingdome Bonfires shooting of Ordnance and other testimonies of joy But many of the Gentry who had been under his command before having now engaged
them about his neck saying Thongh it hath pleased His Sacred Majesty that now is to make him one of the Knights of the most Honourable Order of the Garter yet he did not think himself more Honoured by the Garter than by that cord with the Books which he would embrace about his neck with as much joy and content as ever he did the Garter or a chain of gold and therefore desired them to be tied unto him as they pleased When this was done and his ams tyed he asked the Officers If they had any more Dishonour as they conceived it to put upon him he was ready to accept it And so with an undaunted Courage and Gravitie suffered according to the Sentence past upon him THe death of the noble Marquesse was not bewailed as a private losse but rather as a publique calamitie The greatest Princes in Europe expressed no small sorrow for his unhappy end And indeed we have not had in this latter Age a man of more eminent parts either of body or of mind He was a man not very tall nor much exceeding a middle stature but of exceeding strong composition of body and incredible force with excellent proportion and feature Dark brown hayr'd sanguine complexion a swift and peircing gray eye with a high nose somewhat like the antient signe of the Persian Kings Magnamity He was of a most resolute and undaunted spirit which began to appear in him to the wonder and expectation of all men even in his childhood Whom would it not have startled to attempt as he did at his first entry into Scotland a journey wherein he could not almost escape discovery all passes being so laid for him but even when he was known and almost made publike he proceeded in his intention He was a man of a very Princely courage and excellent addresses which made him for the most part be us'd by all Princes with extraordinary familiarity A compleat Horseman and had a singular grace in riding Nor is it lesse wonderful how in so great scarcity of all things when warre in that Country is but tedious with the greatest plenty it can afford he could patiently endure so much distresse Nor is it lesse to be wondred at how he could win so much upon those Irish who had no tie to him either of Country Language or Religion as he did More especially when they wanted not all manner of temptation that either their own miseries and intollerable duty could suggest or the wit and sagacity of the enemy could invent to make them leave him and abandon the service Besides the many examples shown upon them and their continual want of Pay either of which accidents in an Army is ground enough and has been many times the occasion of mutiny and desertion Nor had he only an excellent and mature judgement for providing and forecasting of businesse but a prompt and ready spirit likewise in matters of present danger and sudden calamity and these things which might have confused another another mans understanding as such sudden chances often doe were a whetting to his wit There are many stratagems in several Histories related which in the heat of action have been put in practice for the regaining of a day already lost or in danger to be so As that of Jugurtha a politick and valiant Prince who in the heat of a battel betwixt him and Marius the Roman Consul rode up and down in the head of the Army showing his bloody sword and affirming that he had slain Marius with his own hand which word did so encourage the Numidians and amaze the Romans that had not Marius in time appeared that day had been in hazard It is likewise reported of one of the Roman Captains that he flung his Standard amongst the middle of the enemie that his own Souldiers by pressing forward to rescue it might break and disorder the enemy Likewise of another that took the bridles off the horse-heads that every man might be a like valiant and charge as we say without fear or wit But beyond all these in my opinion was that device of the Marquesses who at Alderne being in a great straight one wing of his Army being routed and the other in a very staggering condition he did so incense that which was yet whole with the feigned success of the other that they valiantly charged the enemy and put the businesse again into an even ballance And very like was it to that device of Tullus Hostilius who being deserted by Metius King of the Albans told his souldiers he had don 't of purpose to try them and by that means turned their fear into indignation He was exceeding constant and loving to those that did adhere to him and to those he knew very affable though his carriage which indeed was not ordinary did make him seem proud Nor can his enemies lay any greater fault to his charge than his insatiable desire of honour which he did pursue with as handsome and heroick actions as ever any did and such as had neither admixtion of avarice or self-ends though he was therewith by some most unworthily branded For these and the like vertues of which he was the rich possessour he was lamented all Christendom over by all sorts of men since his death too by those who had the greatest hand in 't though their successe at that time did animate their cruelty Nescia mens hominum fati sortisque futureae Et servare modum rebus sublata secundis The Speech of Collonel William Sybbald intended by him to have been spoken on the Scaffold at the time of his Execution at Edinborough Jan. 7. 1650. but hearing that Liberty would not be given him to speak so freely he gave a Copie of it to a special friend GEntlemen I am brought this day to this place to pay a debt to Nature before it be due and by the malice and cruelty of my mercylesse enemies I am sentenced to dye as a Traytor to my Country for endeavouring to do service for my King on whose happinesse and wel-fare does depend the wel-fare of these Kingdoms and to whom I am bound both by the Law of God and man to perform all faithful and loyal service And as the cause for which I suffer proclames my loyalty so their Sentence does declare to all the world their disloyalty and their intentions against the King Their self-guiltinesse makes cowardly spirits cruel and such was their proceedings against me as that I could not obtain an Advocate to plead for me nor any man skilful in the Laws either to advise with me or to write my Defence though they knew me to be ignorant of the Laws Thus is my innocencie and integrity betrayed partly by their malice and my own ignorance The truth is they did profer to do me any courtesie or favour if I would make an ingenuous confession that is accuse some Noblemen and Gentlemen of keeping correspondency with his Majesty or with the Marquesse of Montrose