hard by, to the number of a thousand, that, without waiting orders, they run directly up the hill, and thereby exposed themselves to the whole strength of the enemy. Montrose was much displeased with their rashness; but yet it was necessary to support them; and indeed it is hard to say, whether their safety was more owing to the cowardice of the enemy, or the speedy relief which was sent them. The enemy's rear was very slow in advancing, and while their van made a stand till they should come up, Montrose got sufficient time to send assistance to these resolute Highlanders. At length he observed three troops of horse and two thousand foot dispatched from the main army against them; and after severals had refused to undertake this desperate service, he accosted the Earl of Airly, and told him, that these men would undoubtedly be cut in pieces by the enemy's cavalry, if they were not speedily supported; and that the eyes and wishes of the whole army were upon him, as the only person capable to repulse the enemy, bring off these men, and, by his grave and discreet conduct, correct the error which their rash and imprudent valour had occasioned. Airly most cheerfully undertook this dangerous piece of service; and marched immediately towards the enemy with a troop of his own horse, commanded by John Ogilvy of Baldavie, who had formerly served as a colonel in the Swedish service, and was a very brave, experienced officer. The ene

my charged them at first with great courage; but they could not long withstand the bravery of the Ogilvies, and were forced to give way. Airly followed so close, that they fell back upon their foot, and thereby threw them all at once into confusion. This behaviour and success of the Ogilvies so much animated the rest of the army, that they could no longer be restrained, but rushed forward upon the enemy, with a great shout, as if they had already obtained the victory. The enemy's horse were very soon put into disorder, and fled, leaving the foot quite open and exposed; who immediately followed their example, and, throwing away their arms, endeavoured also to save themselves by flight. The pursuit continued for fourteen miles, in which most of the rebels were killed, scarce an hundred of the foot escaping with their lives. Nor did the horse share a much better fate, many of them being killed, severals taken prisoners, and the rest entirely dispersed. Their whole baggage and arms fell into the hands of the conquerors. Montrose lost only six men; three of them were gentlemen of the name of Ogilvy, who fell in the attack made by Lord Airly, to which the victory was in a great measure owing.

The noblemen who were in the covenanters' army saved themselves by a timely retreat, and the swiftness of their horses. Some of them reached the castle of Stirling; while others got to the Frith of Forth, and went aboard some ships they

found lying at anchor in the road. Among these was Argyle, who now for the third time saved himself by means of a boat; and even then he did not reckon himself secure, till they had weighed anchor and carried the vessel out to sea.

Among the prisoners were Sir William Murray of Blebo, James Arnot, brother to the Lord Burleigh, and Colonels Dice and Wallace, besides several other gentlemen of note; all of whom Montrose dismissed upon their parole never to carry arms against the king.

This is the famous battle of Kilsyth, which was fought on the 15th of August 1645, and in which six thousand of the rebels were slain.

CHAP. XIV.

Great alterations in the kingdom upon the victory at Kilsyth.Montrose enters Glasgow-Is joined by several of the nobility.-Receives the surrender of the city of Edinburgh.The prisoners discharged by the covenanters.-The peace of the west country settled.

others to Carlisle,

THIS victory at Kilsyth gave a very different turn to the face of affairs through the whole kingdom. The covenanting nobility immediately dispersed, and fled to different corners. Some of them went to Berwick and Newcastle, others to Ireland, and some one way, some another. Many who had secretly favoured the king's cause begun now to declare their sentiments openly, and to make frank professions of their loyalty, and offers of their assistance. On the other hand, such as had been in arms with the covenanters began to plead their excuse, alleging they had been forced out against their inclinations by the absolute tyranny and oppression of the enemy; and now submitted themselves to the pleasure of the conqueror, humbly begging his protection, and imploring his wonted clemency. Deputies were also sent from the most distant shires and cities, to

profess their allegiance to the king, and all duty and obedience to Montrose as his deputy-governor; and at the same time to make offer of what assistance they could afford him of men, arms, or other warlike necessaries. The nobility, the chieftains, and other men of power and influence in the country, came also in great numbers to congratulate him upon his success, and to make him tenders of their assistance. He received all that came to him with great courtesy, and granted them an absolute pardon and indemnity for the errors of their past conduct. All he demanded of them was only to exchange the rapacious and oppressive tyranny of the covenanters, for the mild government and tender protection of their most gracious sovereign. He intreated them to lay aside their former unreasonable animosities, and study for the future to express their loyalty and obedience to the best of kings, in a manner becoming dutiful subjects, and not allow themselves to become the dupes of a seditious, turbulent faction, whose only aim was their own private interest; for obtaining of which, they had set the king and his subjects by the ears, and had well nigh ruined both. For his own part, he said, his only intention, from the beginning of these troubles, had been to endeavour by force of arms, seeing all other means had proved ineffectual, to preserve the religion and liberty of his country, to defend the king's prerogative, and the dignity of the peerage, and, in a word, to rescue