his dearest lord and master should come to suffer greater detriment by his fall, than might probably accrue from this unsuccessful effort, he determined to live for the service of his king, and the promoting of that cause, the justice of which forbid him to despair. The Marquis of Douglas, Sir John Dalziel, and a few more trusty and resolute friends, came up with him very seasonably to second these reflections. They used every argument to prevail with him, and obtested him by every thing he held dear and sacred, that he would not wantonly throw away his life; but that, for the sake of his king, and the safety of both church and state, he would speedily look to the preservation of his person, seeing that in him alone, under God, all their hopes were centered; and with him they were resolved either to live or die. Montrose was at length prevailed upon by their entreaties; and, putting himself at their head, cut his way through the midst of the enemy, who were now more intent in plundering the baggage than in pursuit. Of such as attempted to pursue them, some they killed, others they took prisoners: among the last was one Bruce, captain of a troop of horse, and two standard-bearers, whom they brought off with their ensigns. They were civilly treated, and, after being kept some days, were released, upon their promise that as many prisoners of the same rank should be set at liberty in their place; but this they did not think proper religiously to observe.

Montrose had not gone above three miles from Selkirk, when he overtook a good number of his own men, who now made up a considerable party, and enabled him to prosecute his march secure from the insults of the country people. As he passed by the Earl of Traquair's house, whose treachery in betraying him to the enemy he was not yet informed of, he desired to speak with him and his son ; but they were both denied to be at home, though some gentlemen of honour and credit affirmed they were both in the house; however, Traquair did not rest here. He had the effrontery openly to congratulate the covenanters upon their victory; and, with a petulant and derisive sneer, to observe, that now at length it appeared that Montrose and the king's forces could be defeated in Scotland; a behaviour so shocking, that even his own daughter, the Countess of Queensberry, checked him for it, as far as filial modesty would permit.

Montrose halted a little near the town of Peebles, to give his men some time to draw their breath: and in the mean time, he was joined by some more of the stragglers; and about sun-set entered the town, where he rested all that night. Next morning, by break of day, he passed the Clyde at a ford, to which he was conducted by Sir John Dalziel; and there, to their mutual joy, he was met by the Earls of Crawfurd and Airly, who had escaped by a different road; they undervalued the loss of the

battle, now that they had found him alive, and out of danger; on the other hand, it gave him no small satisfaction to see his dearest friends safe; and not the less, that they brought along with them near two hundred horse, which they had picked up by the way.

Though he was now secure against the pursuit of the enemy, yet he resolved to make all the haste he could into Athole, in order to begin his new levies, and raise what forces he could among the Highlanders, and his other friends in the north country. Accordingly, having crossed the rivers of Forth and Ern, he marched through Perthshire by the foot of the hills, and so came to Athole, having in his way dispatched Douglas and Airly with a party of his horse into Angus, and Lord Erskine into Mar, to levy what forces they could in these countries, among their friends and vassals. Sir John Dalziel, who had lately contracted an alliance with Lord Carnegy, was sent to him, with a commission to the same purpose. Sir Alexander Macdonald likewise was wrote to, desiring him, according to his promise, to come down with his Highlanders against the day he had appointed. But there was no person whose return Montrose was at greater pains to solicit than that of Aboyne. He wrote him several letters, and employed sundry gentlemen to wait upon him, and endeavour to prevail with him to bring back

his men to the army, who, of themselves, were heartily inclined to the service, and wanted only his authority to put them in motion, and his example to animate and excite them.

CHAP. XVII.

Montrose joined by four hundred Athole-men.-Accounts of the cruel butchery of the prisoners by the covenanters.Huntly refuses to co-operate with Montrose; yet Aboyne joins him, but soon leaves him.-Montrose returns to Perthshire. The death of Lord Napier.

THOUGH the harvest-season was already far advanced, the corns in that cold climate were not quite cut down; neither had the country people as yet got their houses and cottages repaired, which had been burnt and destroyed by the enemy; so that they were but very ill provided against the approach of winter, which is generally in that country extremely severe. These things abated much of the wonted forwardness and readiness of the Athole-men. Montrose had the influencé, notwithstanding, to procure among them four hundred good foot to attend him to the north country; an expedition, as they thought, not attended with very great danger; and they faithfully promised, that when he was returned, and was again to march to the south country, the whole strength of the province should be at his com

mand.

In the mean time, he received frequent assur