that it was some falling out between the Highlanders the Irish thrust himselfe in amongst the thickest of them there he findes a most horrible murther newly committed for the noble Lord Kilpontin lay there basely sâ—aine The murtherer was a retainer of his owne one Stuart whom he had treated with much friendship and familiarity in so much that that same night they lay both in a bed It is reported that the base slave had 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 where upon the murtherer fearing he would discover him assaulted him unawares stabbed him with many wounds who little suspected any harme from his friend and creature The treacherous assassine by killing a Centinel escaped none being able to pursue him it being so darke that they could scarse see the ends of their Pikes Some say the traitor was hired by the Covenanters to doe this others onely that he was promised a reward if he did it Howsoever it was this is most certaine that he is very high in their favour unto this very day and that Argyle immediatelâ— 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 deare friend and one that had deserved very well both froÌ„ the King himself a maÌ„ famous for arts armes and honesty being a good Philosopher a good Divine a good Lawyer a good Souldier a good Subject a good man And embracing the breathlesse body againe againe with sighes teares he delivers it to his sorrowfull friends and servants to be carried to his parents to receive its funerall Obsequies as became the splendor of that honourable Family With the rest of his Forces Montrose marcheth to Dundee the Towne being proud of the number of its inhabitants and having a Garrison out of Fife beside refused to submit And he thinking it no wisdome to hazard the honour he had gotten by his late victory upon the doubtfull successe of a siege turnes away toward Eske for he hoped that many of his friends and kindred being men of greatest note in those parts and who used to talke as highly what they would doe for the King as any others would be ready to joyne with him But they having newes of his approach withdrew themselves onely the Lord Ogleby Airley a man of threescore yeares old with his two sons Sir Thomas and Sir David and some of his friends and clients men of experienced resolutions joyned himselfe unto him and with admirable constancy he went along with him through all fortunes unto the very end of the Warre being in that almost universall 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 principall lay at Aberdene with an Army and laboured to assure unto themselves the Northerne parts upon which Montrose especially relyed either by faire meanes or foule He determines to fight these immediately before Argyle could come up to them therefore with long marches he hies thither and possessing himselfe of the bridge upon the river of Dee and drawing neare 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 having chosen his ground planted his great Guns before his men he expected battell Montrose had fifteene hundred Foot for the Lord Kilpontins 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 farre laden with spoile and just foure 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 swifâ—nesse of body were almost as good as horsemen placed them on either wing to prevent the falling of the enemies Horse upon his rere which they performed most gallantly beyond the opinion or perhaps the beliefe of many He gave the command of the right flank to Iames 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 sonne to the Marquesse of Huntley a bold young man and hor spirited but haire brain'd and one that had forced out his fathers friends and clients to fight with Montrose against their wills He having gotten the plaine and most commodious ground for fighting on horsebacke 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 foure and forty beat backe 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 forborne 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 Flanke vvhich had no Horse vvith their right Wing of Horse Montrose therefore in atrice now that Lewis Gordon and his men vvere fled conveighs the same Horse to the left Flanke vvho seeing they vvere not able to dravv themselves into a Body like the enemies fetch 't a compasse about so escaped their first charge then neatly vvheeling about they fall upon the Flanke of the enemy vvith their naked svvords beat and cut and vanquish and put them to flight They tooke prisoners on Forbes of Kragevar a Knight of great esteem vvith the enemy and another Forbes of Boindle Those that retreated got safe away because that so few could not safely persue them They that commanded the enemies Horse vvere not so much frighted vvith their losse as vexed vvith the disgrace of a double repulse therefore imputing their defeat to those light fierelockes that vvere mixed vvith Montrose's Horse they themselves call for Foot-men out of their maine Body intending to returne vvith greater courage Montrose suspected that vvas loath to engage those fevv gallant men againe vvhose Horses vvere spent already in tvvo sharp services vvith the enemy vvho vvas reinforced vvith fresh Foot Therefore observing the enemies Horse not yet railled since their nevv rout staÌ„ding at a sufficient distance froÌ„ their Foot hee rode about among his owne who had been sore galled already with the Enemies Ordnance and bespeaks them to this effect VVe doe no good my fellow Souldiers while we dispute the matter at thus much distance except we close up with them how shall we know
easily be surprised on the borders of Tweed if Lesly would make use of that opportunity was offered him to doe his businesse Therefore Lesley upon this intelligence made haste thither and as I said lodg'd within four miles of Selkirk That Trequaire sent those letters unto Lesley although it was the generall report I cannot certainly affirm but it cannot be denied that that same night he sent his Commands to his son the Lord Linton that he should immediately withdraw himself from the Royall party which with much jollity he did This was like themselves being the ungratefullest of all men deserting their King of whom none had better deserved and staining their posterity And truly that morning being very misty gave no small advantage to the treachery of the enemy whom at last Montroses frighted Scouts discover'd to march towards him in a full body at such time as they were not above half a mile off Montrose mounting the first Horse he could light on gallops into the field appointed for the Rendezvouz that morning where he finds a great deal of noise but no order The Cavalry being little acquainted with their duty lying already disperst in their quarters where they dream't more of baiting their horses then maintaining their lives and honours upon the first alarme which they received from the enemies Trumpet ran disorderly up and down they knew not whither but never came in the fight Yet there were a few and those were for the most part Noblemen or Knights who made all speed thither and gallantly undertook to make good the right wing and they were not above sixscore in all Nor did the Foot who were about five hundred make agood appearance for many of them looking about their private businesses among the Carriages by that unseasonable care of saving lost themselves and all they had And which spoiled the matter which was bad enough before most of the Commanders were absent never came in the field Besides the enemy coming on so speedily left them no time for deliberation The enemy therefore who were six thousand whereof most were Horse out of England furiously charging Montrose's right wing were twice gallantly received and repulsed with no small losse Nor could they make that noble Troop give any ground or break through it untill at last laying along those few Foot that withstood them they broke in upon the left flank vvhere there vvas no Horse By this tvvo thousand Horse whom the enemy had sent over to the other side of the river vvere gotten on the Rear of those noble Gentlemen who lest being hemb'd in on every side gall'd with the enemies shot at distance they should fal for nothing and unreveng'd withdrew themselves every one the best way he could But the Foot who could have little security by flight fighting a good while stoutly resolutely at last upon quarter ask't and given for their lives threw down their armes and yeelded themselves prisoners Every one of whom being naked and unarm'd without any regard to quarter given Lesley caused to be most unhumanely butcher'd The staine of which perfidious cruelty by which he hath so filthily blurr'd his hononr if any he got in forraign service he shal never be able to wipe away As for those that escaped out of the battell the enemy pursued them no further being busie in plundering the Carriages where they made a lamentable slaughter of Women Pedees and Cook-boyes no pity vvas shovvn to sex nor age they vvent to the pot altogether The number of the slain is not easie to be given almost no Horse and very fevv Foot besides those that yeelded themselves and had quarter fell in that battell vvhich may appear by this that they vvere no more then five hundred in all before the next day tvvo hundred and fifty of them came safe to Montrose of all them vvith their svvords by their sides so that there could not be as many more missing and very fevv vvere taken prisoners and not untill their horses being tired and themselves ignorant of the vvay they became a prey to the country people Whom they forgetting all the benefits protection they had but nevvly received from Montrose to do the Covenanters a favour delivered up unto their cruell enemies to be made by them acceptable sacrifices to Baal-Berith the god of the Covenant For all that the Rebell conquerours missed of the Kings Standards The one of them vvhich vvas carried before the Foot vvas preserved by an Irish soldier a stout man of a present spirit vvhen others vvere almost beside themselves vvho vvhen he savv that the enemy had got the day stript it off the staffe and vvrapped it about his body and being othervvise naked made his vvay vvith his dravvn svvord through the thickest of the enemy and brought it to Montrose at night Whom he received into his Life-guard and gave it him to carry in token of his valour and loyalty And the other of them William Hie brother to the Earl of Kinoule a hopefull young Gentleman vvho succeeded his uncle by the mothers side Douglasse son to the Earl of Morton vvho having receiv'd many and grievous vvounds at the battell of Alford vvas rendred unable for that burden stript from off the staffe too and carried it avvay vvith him And conveighing himself into the borders of England skulked there a vvhile till the coast was a little clearer about Tweed and then through by-wayes and night journies for the most part being accompanied couducted by his faithfull friend Robert Toures a stout man and a good souldier who had been a Captain in France a good while ago returned into the North and presented that same Royall Standard unto the Generall And now at last Montrose when he saw his men totally routed and put to flight which he never savv before thought of nothing more for a good space then to die honourably and not unrevenged therefore rallying about thirty Horse vvhom he had gathered up in that confusion he resolved by fair and honourable death to prevent his falling alive into the enemies hands And seeing he vvas not able to break through the enemies Troops vvho stood thick round about him he gall'd them on the Front and Rear and Flanks and of such as vvere so hardy as to adventure out of their ranks many he slevv others he beat back But vvhen all that he could do vvould not do his businesse as God vvould have it this 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't That many of the prime Nobility and men of power many Knights too and Chiefs of their Sepâ—s had entered into an association with him who if he should miscarry would be suddenly ruined or corrupted and by that means the Kings party
refuge and not hastily to be made use of therefore as vve ought not to tempt Almighty God by our ovvn vvretchlesnesse 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 ovvn part and referre the successe to God and other things to his ovvn care and industry Immediately he sends out four hundred Foot before him and commands them that as much as they possibly could vvithout breaking their ranks they should make all speed Then he appoints two hundred of the activest men he had to follovv them he vvith his Horse brings up the Rear The Horse trooped on in so open order that if occasion vvere they might have room enough to receive light musquetiers He believed the enemies Foot vvere not able to overtake them and if their Horse only should charge them vvhich they vvould hardly adventure to do he conceived it vvas no matter of extream difficulty to make their part good against them besides the Sun vvas ready to set the darknesse of the night vvould be commodious for their retreat The enemy understanding the number of them that vvent avvay first by some prisoners they had taken and after that by their ovvn vievv assoon as they savv they vvere disposed rather for a journey then a battell divide their Forces into tvvo parts and so pursue them Wherein their intention vvas not only to fall upon their Rear and 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 pursuit proposed twenty thousand Crownes to any one that could bring in Montrose's head And now the Van of the enemies Horse began to close 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 pursuit 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 seacoast However that was not their way but to go North-ward toward Grainsbaine and so to deliver themselves from their mischievous Horse But Baily had laid the greatest part of his Army between them and Grainsbaine that there might be no place for theÌ„ 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 passages straight into the Mountains might be laid by the enemies Horse he was not mistaken coÌ„mands 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 North-ward by the next morning at Sunrising passed over South-Eske at a place not far from Careston Castle and from thence sent to Brechin 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 and more timely and had taken the Mountains Whiles he staid at Careston the Scouts brought him word on a sudden that the enemies Horse were in fight and their Foot being refresh't with victualls and sleep march't 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 himselfe of the bottom of the Mountains and having done nothing to the purpose retreated from their vain pursuit 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 Generall and even admirable for the hardinesse of the Souldier in encountering all extremities with patience for for threescore miles together they had been often in fight alwayes upon their march without either meat or the least refreshment Which whether forraigne Nations or after times will beleeve 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 seldom 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 affaire of the war He sends the Lord Cordon together with those that had continued loyall 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 Whicâ— he cheerfully and courageously performed and though he spared none yet he was most severe with those that had been authours or accessaries to his brothers defection ad 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 then 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 hee made up his Army with recruits from every side Neither was hee out in his aime for the Covenanters had sent Hurrey the Lieutenant Generall 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 Kingdome ready to wait upon all 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 Perth at the beginning of the night with all his Army that by a speedy march he might at break of day fall unexpected into Mâ—ntrose's quarters But hee found Montrose carefull enough of his businesse and his Foot ready in armes either to march or fight buth 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 hee commanded his men to march speedily away and following the course of the river Erne to make good the fords thereof hee with the few Horse that hee 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 a 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 18. of Aprill quartered at Logh-Erne and came the next day to Balwidir where the Earl of Aboine 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 peace-meal which he vvell knew if it vvere all in a body vvould be above his march Therefore by long and continued journeys passing by Balwidir and a Lake of four and tvventy miles long out of vvhich the river of Tay breaks forth through Athole and Angus and over Granshaine through a vale called Glenmuck hee came to the midst of Marre There he joyned vvith the Lord Gordon vvho had novv a thousand Foot and tvvo hundred Horse and marching straight to the Spey laboured to finde out and engage with the enemy Nor vvas he above six miles off vvhen Hurrey thought hee had not yet got over Gransbaine for vvith unvvearied 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 hast passeth over the Spey And because he had appointed the Rendezvouz of all his friends at Innernesse hyeth to Elgin nor did Montrose pursue him lazily to Elgine 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 te night hee 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 Seafort and Suderland 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 some old souldiers of the Garrison of that Town and so drawes up against Montrose He now commanded three thousand and five hundred Foot and four hundred Horse but Montrose who had no more but fifteen hundred Foot and two hundred Horse had a great minde to retire But not only Hurrey pressed so vehemently upon him that it was scarce possible for him to retreat but Baily also vvith a Southern Army much stronger then Hurrey's especially in Horse was novv got already a great vvay on that side Gransbaine and marched in great hast tovvards the Spey What should Montrose do in this condition Hee must of necessity either give Hurrey battell or undergo a far greater hazard of being hemb'd in between two Armies Therefore he resolves to try the fortune of War without delay to commit the successe unto God and chusing the best advantage of ground hee could finde there to expect the assault of the enemy There was a little Town that stood upon the height which shadowed the neighbouring valley some little hills that were higher then the Town behinde 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 hee commits to Alexander Mac-donel 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 hee on the left flank should take his best advantage against them And to that end drawing the rest of his Forces to the other side hee 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 covert of the banks and ditches seemed as if they were his main battell whereas indeed hee 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 savv the Kings Standard ordered the most part of their Horse and old Souldiers vvherein 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 do therefore hee 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 hee knew to be trusty and discreet and whispers him in the ear that Mac-donell with his men on the right flank were put to flight He being a man of a quick spirit thought it was best to forestall the souldiers lest their hearts should faile them upon bad newes and cryes aloud to the Lord Gordon My Lord what doe we doe Mac-donell upon the right hand having routed and discomfited the enemy is upon the execution shall wee stand by as idle spectatours whiles hee carries away the honour of the day And with that hee commands them to charge
ground But Baily turning aside some three miles to the left hand Montrose holds on his intended march to Alford where hee 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 armes 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 Reare of their flying enemy for so those excellent Diviners prophesied to their owne 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 hee returneth alone to order the battell And above all things he possesses himselfe of Alford hill where hee might receive the charge of the enemy if they fell on desperately Behinde him was a moorish place full of ditches and pits which would prevent Horse falling upon his Reare before him was a steep hill which kept his men from the enemies view so that they could hardly perceive the formost rankes Hee had scarce given order for the right managing of all things when those Horse whom hee had left at the Ford returned with a full cariere and bring word that the enemy had passed the River And now it was no more safe for either of them to retreat without the apparent ruine of their party It is reported that Baily like a skilfull and wary Commaunder was sore against his will drawne unto this battell nor had engaged had he not beene necessitated unto it by the rashnesse of the Lord Baâ—carise a Colonell of Horse who precipitated himselfe and the Horse under his command into that danger whether Baily would or no as that hee 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 Earle of Aboine to whom also was joyned Sir William Rollock And of the maine battell to two valiant men Glengar and Drumond of Ball the younger unto whom hee added George Graham master of the Camp an expert souldier also The Reserve which was altogether hid behinde 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 later 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 dunghills but those that served the King Gentlemen who fought for a good Cause and Honour gratis and not for gaine and such as esteem'd it more becoming to die then 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 downe 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 blowes 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 Colonell and Colonell Nathaniel called out unto those expert Firelocks who now lin'd the Horse as they were wont Come on my fellouw sonldiers throw downe your now uselesse guns draw your swords and sheat them in the Rebells Horse or hamstring them They instantly tooke 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 afrighted betook himself to his heels Aboine with the left wing kept off nor did hee 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 Their Foot being deserted by their Horse after they had desperately stood out a while and refused 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 battell was won rushing fiercely into the thickest of them received a shot through 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 battell Montrose did not lose so much as one common souldier and of Gentlemen one Culchol and one Milton 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 years of age a piece who throwing down their masters luggage mounting upon their nags sumpter-horse did not onely make a faire appearance of a body of Horse but as if they had bin Corrivalls in valour with their masters beyond what might be expected from their years 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 But the losse of the Lord Gordon had so deep an impression upon all mens affections that they had the face rather of a defeated then victorious army The first scene of their sorrovv vvas acted in a dull silence in the next the floud-gates vvere broke open and the army vvas full of sighes and sobs and vvailing and lamentation and then vvith bedevved cheeks assoon as their grief could get a tongue they blam'd Heaven and Earth and Fortune and every thing for depriving the King the Kingdome the Age themselves and their posterity
all parts and by this time over-numbring him even in Foot labour'd not only to provoke but even compell him to fight Wherupon hee concluded to step aside a little into the neighbouring Mountains whither he knew either the enemy would not advance or if they dit 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 drawes up the Horse into the Front Nor did the enemy expect any other then to try it out by battell which hee made as if hee would give till such time as the Carriages were got so farre 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 Reare 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 unto the passes and the enemy knew very well they were not able to pursue any further lest with all that paines 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 base language whom when Montrose saw he call'd for only twenty active bodied men of the Highlanders that were used to hunting 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 downe 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 contended to retreat But those good huntsmen being encouraged with their good successe assoon as they saw their enemies disorderâ—d came into the open plain and resolutely charged their Horse who in as much feare as Bucks or Does chased by Hunters set spurs to their Horses and fled back to their maine body as if the Divell were in them The enemy upon their retreat chose that place for their Rendezvouz from whence Montrose departed Methfyn Forrest after they had done nothing worthy to be remembred in all that expedition but that when thy found themselves unable to cope with men they exercised their cruelty upon women for all the wives of the Irish and Highlanders that they light of who followed the Camp for the love of their husbands most basely and shamelesly they hew'd in pieces Montrose kept his quarters at little Dunkeldon both because the place was cumbersome and unpassable for Horse and lay very conveniently for receiving such aids as he daily expected with Aboine out of the North. All which time the two spleenative Armies lying close together rather stood upon their guards then offered any affront one to the other And now at length Aboine and Colonell Nathaniell Gordon brought up their men out of the North to Dunkeldon men for their number indeed fewer then was expect but for their stoutnesse and true valour farre above their number The Horse they brought were only two hundred and some six score Firelocks whom they had mounted and made Dragoons other Foot they brought none Along with them came the Earl of Airley and Sir David his son with fourscore Horse most of them of the noble family of the Oglebyes amongst whom Alexander sonne and heir of Sir Iohn Ogleby of Innercarit was most eminent not onely 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 any time but marched straight towards the enemy But assoon as he came to Amonde he thought it best to see in what condition the enemy was 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 somting 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 Hee 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 of Towns and Villages in all Scotland Its inhabitants are little martiall 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 Iland being inviron'd towards the South with the Scottish Firth on the North with the Tay which carrieth ships of great burden all along on the East with the maine 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 thundred 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 battell with them before they encreas'd their Forces with addition of the Fife-men but it would not be For they had so forâ—ified themselves by the advantage of the ground and the narownesse of the passages that hee could by no means either make his way unto them or draw them out into plainer ground Having therefore made them severall fruitlesse offers of battell he resolved to march into the heart of the Country and came to Kinrosse as well to hinder the rising of that Country as to traine the enemy at last out of their fastnesse to come in unto the aid of their distressed friends They not so much as daring to fall upon his Rear turn'd another way and keeping close to the banke first of
Army to be drawne out to as open order as could be possible and makes his Files onely three deep He commands the Ranks all to discharge at once those in the first Ranke 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-spending 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 assoone as they had discharged their muskets once a piece immediately to breake in upon the enemy with their swords musket ends which if they did he was very confident the enemy would never endure the charge Montrose undertakes the Command of the right Flanke over against Sir Iames Scot appoints the left to the Lord Kilpont the maine Battell to Mac donell with his Irish vvhich vvas very providently ordered lest the Irish vvho vvere neither used to fight vvith long Pikes nor vvere furnis-with swords if they had been placed on either flank should haue beene exposed to the fury of the Scotch Horse Montrose had sent unto the Commanders of the enemy Drummond sonne and heire to the Lord Maderty a noble Gentleman and accomplished with all kinde of vertues who declared in his name That Montrose aswell as the Kings Majesty from whom he had received his Commission was most tender of shedding his Countreyes bloud and had nothing more in his devotions then that his victories might he written without a red Letter And such a victory they might obtaine as well as he if they should please but to have the honour to conquer themselves and before a stroke were stâ—ucke to returne â—nto their Allegeance That for his part he was covetous of no mans wealth thirsty after no mans bloud all that he desired was that in the name of God they would at length give eare to sound counsell and submit themselves and what belonged unto them unto them grace and protection of so good a King who as he had hitherto condescended unto all things either for matter of Religion or anything else which they thought good to aske though to the exceeding great prejudice of his Prerogative so still they might finde him like an indulgent Father ready to embrace his penitent children in his armes 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 meere love to his Countrey had undertaken the employment prisoner with a company of rude souldiers unto Perth vowing assoone as they had got the victory to cut off his head But God was more mercifull to him and provided otherwise then they intended for the safety of that gallant man They were come within musket shot when the enemies under the Command of the Lord Drummond sent out a forlorne-hope to provoke Montrose to a light skirmish he sends a few to meet them who at the first onset disorder and rout them sending them backe to their maine body in no small fright Montrose thought now was his opportunity and that nothing could conduce more either to the encouragement of his owne souldiers or the terrour of the enemy then immediately to fall upon them as they were disordered and astonished with that fresh blow nor would he give them time to rally or recover courage therefore seâ—ting up a great shout he lets loose his whole Army upon them The enemy first at distance discharge their Ordnance which made more noise then they did harme afterwards marching forward their Horse labour to breake in upon Montrose's Souldiers those when their powder was spent and many of them had neither Pikes nor scarse Swords they stoutly entertaine with such weapons as the place would afford good stones of which they poured in such number amongst them with so great strength and courage that they forced them to retreat and to trouble them no more For the Irish and Highlanders striving bravely whetâ—er should out vie the other in valour bore up so eagerly when they gave ground that at last they betooke themselves to the nimblenesse of their Horses heeles There was something more to do a little while longer in the right Flanke Sir Iames Scot disputed some time for the higher ground but Montrose's men being stronger bodied especially swifter footmen obtained the Hill from thence the Athole meÌ„ rushed downe with their drawne swords upon the enemy and making little account of the musquetiers who sent their bullets amongst them as thicke as haile closing with them as they lik't best to fight they slash't and beat them downe At last the enemy not able to abide their fury fairely 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 seven 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 forsooke him afterwards The rest taking a solemn Protestation that they would never after beare armes against the King he set at liberty He tooke in Perth the same day without doing the least harme unto the City although most of the Citizens had fought against him in this battell thinking by so great clemency to turne the hearts of the people towards their King vvhich vvas the onely end to vvhich he directed all his designes CHAP. VI. HE staid three dayes at Perth for there he expected 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 Earle of Kinoule with a few gentlemen of Gawry nor did they continue very constant unto him neither And by this time Argyle was at hand with a great Army of Foot of his owne supplies of Horse were joyned with him out of the South parts therefore Montrose passing over Tay tooke up his Quarters in the field for other quarters he seldom had near Couper a little village in Angus where a famous Monastery once stood but now lies on the ground Here a brave young gentleman Sir Thomas Ogilby sonne to the Earle of Arley with others of the Gentry of Angus met him readily offered him their service whom he courteously entertained and sent them away with thankes they pretending they onely went to fit themselves for a march neverthelesse few of them returned besides the Ogilbies Next morning by breake of day before the Revellier was beat there was a great tumult in the Camp the Souldiers ranne to their armes fell to be wilde and raging Montrose guessing
Forth where hee believed the King could not want assistance Which designe of his was not unknown to the enemy therefore they send these Commanders against him with a powerfull Army who no sooner came in sight then Montrose offered them battell But they intended nothing lesse then to try it out with him that way nor would adventure so much as but to fall upon the rear of Montrose as he marched off So he went to the Castle of Innercarity and the next day to a village called Eliot And here again leaving the mountains behinde him hee descends into the plain and by a Trumpet sends a challenge unto Baily to fight Between their two Armies ran the river I le which neither could safely passe over without the others consent Montrose therefore desires Baily to give him leave safely to come over to that side which motion if Baily should not like of he offered him a safe and free passage on condition that he would engage his honour to fight without further delay Baily answered he would look to his own businesse himself and would not have other men teach him when to fight Thus the two Armies fac't one another many dayes neither the enemy endeavouring to passe their Forces over the river against Montrose nor he hoping to make good his passe unto them by reason of his scarcity of Horse Marching therefore to Dunkeldon he thought to passe the Tay at which time by a sudden and unexpected mischief he was almost utterly ruined It was thus Lewis Cordon sonne to Marquesse Huntly who had born arms against Montrose in the battell of Aberdene by the mediation of his noble brother the Lord Gordon had bin received into favour He either by true or counterfeit letters from the old fox in the hole his father tempred and carried away with him almost all the Gordens without the knowledge of his brother and basely deserted Montrose and him when they were ready to be engaged with the enemy And truly it is hard to say to whether of both he bore lesse good will Montrose being sore afflicted with this unexpected revolt although he was of necessity to return into the North to gather new Forces yet made as if neverthelesse hee went straight towards the Forth and his Scouts came all with full cry that all the enemy were got over the Tay that by taking the fords of the Forth they might hinder this passage Hee lest he should seem all this while to have done nothing thought it wel worth his labour if by the way he could take in Dundee a most seditious town for that being the securest haunt and receptacle of the Rebels in those parts and a place that had contributed as much as any other towards the Rebellion was kept by no other garrison but of the Townsmen He therefore commanded the weakest and worst armed men to go along by the bottom of the hills and to meet him at Brechin and he taking with him what Horse he had which were but one hundred and fifty in all and six hundred nimble musquetiers departing from Dunkelden about twelve of the clock in the night made so great haste that hee came to Dundee by ten of the clock in the morning on the 4. day of Aprill He summons the Townsmen to deliver the Town to the King Which Was the only vvay to preserve their ovvn lives and its safety if they would not they must expect fire and svvord They began to make delayes and first to give no ansâ—er at all aftervvard to commit the Trumpet to prison Which affront provoked Montrose so highly that hee stormed the Town in three places at once the Townsmen stood out a vvhile and maintained their works but they had as good have done nothing for the Irish and Highlanders would take no repulse but with a resolute assault some beat them out of their sconces and possessing themselves of their ordinance turned it against the Town others beat open the gates and possesse themselves of the Church and Market-place and others set the Town on fire in severall places And indeed had not the common souldiers by an unseasonable avarice and intemperance addicted themselves to pillage that rich Town had been immediately all on fire But as it happened it was better both for the conquerours and the conquered that it was not for all the intelligence that the Scouts had brought in concerning the enemies coming over te Tay was absolutely false it may be they saw a few Troops and many they dit not see passe over it which they beleeved to have been the wole body of the enemy and by that means were like to have undone both themselves and the whole party Montrose stood upon the top of a hil close unto Dundee loocking upon this onslaught when his almost breathlesse Scouts brought him newes that Baily and Hurrey with three thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse were scarce a mile off He immediately calls his men out of the Town vvhich he had much to do to perswade them for the souldiers counting themselves secure of the victory and thinking they had done a good dayes work already and besides being a little heated in drink and much taken with so rich a booty could hardly be brought to leave the Town they had so newly taken And truly before they could be beaten off from the spoile the enemy was come within musket-shot of them And now as it uses to happen in great dangers Montrose's counsell of War were of different opinions some perswaded that Montrose should shift for himself with te Horse he had because they conceived it not possible that he should be able to bring off the Foot who had been wearied with a march of above twenty miles in the morning after that where spent in a hot fight at noon and now were over-loaden either with drink or prey especially seing he was to march twenty or perhaps thirty miles from Dundee before they could rest in safety That this was the fortune of War and to be patiently undergone especially since he had given oft times far greater overthrowes to the enemy then this could be to him That there was no doubt but that as long as he was safe his forces might be easily recruited and on the other side if he miscaried the case was desperate and they were utterly undone Others cryed out that all was lost already and there was nothing left them but to die with honour and therefore if charging courageously 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 extramest 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 vvere to dash out their ovvn brains against the stones vvas the very last
in Scotland utterly subdued Therefore he thought himself bound never to despaire of a good Cause and the rather lest the King his Master should apprehend the losse of Him to be greater then the losse of the battell And vvhile these thoughts vvere in his head by good hap came in the Marquesse Douglasse and Sir Iohn Dalyell vvith some other friēds not many but fatihfull gallant men vvho vvith tears in their eyes out of the abundance of their affection beseech intreat implore him for his former atchievements for his friends sakes for his Ancestors for his sweet wife childrens sakes nay for his Kings his Countries and the Churches peace and safeties sake that hee 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 overcom with their intreaties charging through the enemy who vvere by this time more taken up vvith ransacking the Carriages then follovving the chase made his escape of those that vvere so hardy as to pursue him some hee slevv others among vvhom vvas one Bruce a Captaine of Horse and tvvo Cornets vvith their Standards he carried avvay prisoners Whom he entertained courteously and after a fevv dayes dismist them upon their Parole that they should exchange as many Officers of his of the like quality vvhich Parole they did not over-punctually perform Montrose vvas gotten scarce three miles from Selkirk vvhen hee having overtaken a great number of his ovvn men that vvent that vvay he made a pretty considerable party so that being novv secure from being fallen upon by the Country people he march't avvay by leisure And as he vvent by the Earl of Trequaires Castle by vvhose dishonesty he did not yet knovv that he had been betrai'd he sent one before him to call forth him and his son that he might speak vvith them but his servants bring vvord that they vvere 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 the Kings forces in Scotland vvere at last totally routed his ovvn daughter the Countesse of Queensborough as far as modestly she might blaming him for it Montrose after he had made a halt a vvhile near a Tovvn called Peblis untill the souldiers had refresh't themselves vvere 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 Dalyell especially passed over Cluid at a ford Where the Earls of Crawford and Airley having escaped another vvay met vvith him making nothing of the losse of the battell assoon as they savv him out of danger Nor vvas he lesse joyfull at the safety of his friends then that he had sav'd pick't up by the vvay almost two hundred Horse But although hee vvas already secure enough from the pursuit of the enemy neverthelesse he resolved to make vvhat haste hee could into Athole that taking his rise there he might dravv vvhat forces he could raise of the Highlanders 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 vvay he had sent before him Douglasse and Airley vvith 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 Dalyell unto the Lord Carnegy with whom he had lately contracted affinity with Commissions to that purpose Moreover he sent letters to Mac-donell 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 speciall messengers that he would bring back his friends and clients who were willing enough of themselves and wanted no other encouragement then his authority and example CHAP. XVII IT was towards the latter end of Harvest nor was the corn reap't in that cold Country nor their houses and cottages which the enemy had burnt repaired against the approaching winter which is for the most part very sharp thereabouts which made the Athole-men to abate some thing 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 Southward hee should command the whole power of the Country Mean time frequent expresses came from Aboine that hee would wait upon him immediately with his Forces and Mac-donell promised no lesse for himself and some other Highlanders Areskin signified also unto him that his men vvere in a readinesse and vvaited for nothing but either Aboines company vvho vvas not far off or Montrose's commands About this time there vvere very hot but uncertain report of a strong party of Horse that vvere sent him from the King whom many conceived not to be far from the South-borders But other nevves they had which was too certain to wit that there was a most cruell butchery of what prisoners the Rebells 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't them and found some pity in them that had so little being gathered together were by order from the Rebell Lords throwne head-long from off a high bridge and the men together with their wives and sucking children down'd in the river beneath and if any chanced to swim towards the side they were beaten of 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 scorne of the vulgar and certainly doom'd at last to lose their heads Montrose was never so much troubled as at this sad newes Therefore to the end he might some way relieve his distressed friends being impatient of all delay with wonderfull speed he climbes over Gransbaine and passing through the plains of Marre and Strath-done maketh unto the Lord of Aboine that he might encourage him by his presence to make more hast into the South For his design was assoon as hee had joyned his forces with Areskins and Airleys and sent for Mac-donell and other Highlanders taken up the Athole men by the way to march in a great body straight over the Forth and so both to meet the Kings Horse and to fright the enemy upon their apprehension of an imminent danger to themselves from putting the prisoners to death For he conceived they durst not be so bold as to execute their malice upon
Menises and other Highlanders who still followed Arg yles fortune were reported to make up some fifteen hundred men and were ready to invade Athole â—nlesse timely opposed And truly they had already 〈◊〉 red an Iland in Logh-Torchet after they had taken it bâ— force pillaged it had besieged Ample Castle whicâ— lyeth on the side of the river of that name Which aâ— soon as they had intelligence of the Athole-men being only seven hundred in all under the command 〈◊〉 the aforesaid Graham Drummond thought best to oppose them before they brake in into their Countrey They upon the alarme of the advance of the Athole 〈◊〉 raised the siege of Ample retreated toward Taich Thâ— Athole-men pursued them hotly finde them in battell-aray not farre from Kalendar a Castle of Taich Foâ— 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 perceived that their Forces were not so strong as was reported for they had not above 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 the rest marched away unto another Ford near the Castle that they might get over the river there The Arg ylians 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 som scatter others drive others forward 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 meÌ„ had had a foule â—edious march of ten miles long had no horse at all to help theÌ„selves So they having come of 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 feare crying bloud of men never sufficiently to be commended They had amongst their priâ—oners some very eminent men as appeared by the hatred the Rebells bare them for they scarce sought the bloud 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 Plunder amongst whoÌ„ were the Lord Ogleby Sir William Spotswood William Murray a noble young Gentleman and Andrew Gutherey a stout Gentleman an active whom they determied to put to death in that City to appease the Ghosts of the meÌ„ of that Province with their bloud of whom it is reported above five thousand had been slaine 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 make Religion draw the curtaine over their cruelty To which purpose they set up their Prophets Kant and Blaire others that were possessed with the same spirit who â—oar'd out of their Pulpits bloudy Oracles before the people That God required the bloud 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 pity to thinke upon them as accursed things and own'd and devoted to destruction perswading them that they oughâ— to have no protection of humane Lawes 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 soules 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 accusers judges both to condemne the innocent men who were destitute of al patronage and protection But Ogleby who was not onely the most eminent of them for Nobility and powr but also was a Hamilton by his mothers side and cousen-german to Lindsey pretending himself sick with much adoe got so much favour as to have his mother wife and sisters suffered to visite him in prison Which when he had obtain'd whilst his keepers in reverence to the honourable Ladies vvithdrevv out of his chamber he immediately puts on his sisters govvne vvhich she had put off and vvas dressed in all her attire She also put on his cap in vvhich he used to lie sick in bed and lay dovvn 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 habite and likenesse of his sister he deceived his keepers vvho lighted him out vvith caÌ„dles and torches And immediately departing the City he took a horse vvhich he had laid for him vvith tvvo of his followers and before morning was got out of danger But when the next day his observant keepers had found out their mistake Arg yle was so unable to containe 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 frieÌ„ds then 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 uncertaine I shall determine nothing This cleanly conveiance of Ogleby out of their hands vext the Rebells exceedingly and made them almost wilde whence it happened that they made a quick dispatch of the rest And the first that suffered was Colonell Natâ—aniel Gordon a man of excellent endowments both of body and minde Who being near unto his death bitterly lamented with many tears that the carriage of his youth had been much otherwise then it ought to have been And when being ready to die they offered him an Instrument to signe wherein he vvas to testifie his repentance he subscribed it without any more adoe and withall call'd God and his Angels and the men there present to witnesse that if any thing was contained in that paper which vvas contrary to the King his Crown or authority he utterly disavovved it Then being absolved from the sentence of Excommunication under vvhich he lay for adultery long since committed to the great grief of the beholders he laid down his neck upoÌ„ the block A man subject indeed to that fault but famous for his valour souldiership both in forraign Countries and at home The next that was brought upon the Scaffold yet reeking with the bloud of