Montrose's first enquiry respected the embassy to Inverary;and he listened with attention to Dalgetty's reply,notwithstanding the prolixity of the Major's narrative.It required an effort from the Marquis to maintain his attention;but no one better knew,that where information is to be derived from the report of such agents as Dalgetty,it can only be obtained by suffering them to tell their story in their own way.Accordingly the Marquis's patience was at length rewarded.Among other spoils which the Captain thought himself at liberty to take,was a packet of Argyle's private papers.These he consigned to the hands of his General;a humour of accounting,however,which went no farther,for I do not understand that he made any mention of the purse of gold which he had appropriated at the same time that he made seizure of the papers aforesaid.Snatching a torch from the wall,Montrose was in an instant deeply engaged in the perusal of these documents,in which it is probable he found something to animate his personal resentment against his rival Argyle.
"Does he not fear me?"said he;"then he shall feel me.Will he fire my castle of Murdoch?--Inverary shall raise the first smoke.--O for a guide through the skirts of Strath-Fillan!"
Whatever might be Dalgetty's personal conceit,he understood his business sufficiently to guess at Montrose's meaning.He instantly interrupted his own prolix narration of the skirmish which had taken place,and the wound he had received in his retreat,and began to speak to the point which he saw interested his General.
"If,"said he,"your Excellency wishes to make an infall into Argyleshire,this poor man,Ranald,of whom I told you,together with his children and companions,know every pass into that land,both leading from the east and from the north."
"Indeed!"said Montrose;"what reason have you to believe their knowledge so extensive?"
"So please your Excellency,"answered Dalgetty,"during the weeks that I remained with them for cure of my wound,they were repeatedly obliged to shift their quarters,in respect of Argyle's repeated attempts to repossess himself of the person of an officer who was honoured with Your Excellency's confidence;so that I had occasion to admire the singular dexterity and knowledge of the face of the country with which they alternately achieved their retreat and their advance;and when,at length,I was able to repair to your Excellency's standard,this honest simple creature,Ranald MacEagh,guided me by paths which my steed Gustavus (which your lordship may remember)trode with perfect safety,so that I said to myself,that where guides,spies,or intelligencers,were required in a Highland campaign in that western country,more expert persons than he and his attendants could not possibly be desired."
"And can you answer for this man's fidelity?"said Montrose;
"what is his name and condition?"
"He is an outlaw and robber by profession,something also of a homicide or murderer,"answered Dalgetty;"and by name,called Ranald MacEagh;whilk signifies,Ranald,the Son of the Mist."
"I should remember something of that name,"said Montrose,pausing:"Did not these Children of the Mist perpetrate some act of cruelty upon the M'Aulays?"
Major Dalgetty mentioned the circumstance of the murder of the forester,and Montrose's active memory at once recalled all the circumstances of the feud.
"It is most unlucky,"said Montrose,"this inexpiable quarrel between these men and the M'Aulays.Allan has borne himself bravely in these wars,and possesses,by the wild mystery of his behaviour and language,so much influence over the minds of his countrymen,that the consequences of disobliging him might be serious.At the same time,these men being so capable of rendering useful service,and being as you say,Major Dalgetty,perfectly trustworthy--"
"I will pledge my pay and arrears,my horse and arms,my head and neck,upon their fidelity,"said the Major;"and your Excellency knows,that a soldado could say no more for his own father."
"True,"said Montrose;"but as this is a matter of particular moment,I would willingly know the grounds of so positive an assurance."
"Concisely then,my lord,"said the Major,"not only did they disdain to profit by a handsome reward which Argyle did me the honour to place upon this poor head of mine,and not only did they abstain from pillaging my personal property,whilk was to an amount that would have tempted regular soldiers in any service of Europe;and not only did they restore me my horse,whilk your Excellency knows to be of value,but I could not prevail on them to accept one stiver,doit,or maravedi,for the trouble and expenses of my sick bed.They actually refused my coined money when freely offered,--a tale seldom to be told in a Christian land."
"I admit,"said Montrose,after a moment's reflection,"that their conduct towards you is good evidence of their fidelity;but how to secure against the breaking out of this feud?"He paused,and then suddenly added,"I had forgot I have supped,while you,Major,have been travelling by moonlight."
He called to his attendants to fetch a stoup of wine and some refreshments.Major Dalgetty,who had the appetite of a convalescent returned from Highland quarters,needed not any pressing to partake of what was set before him,but proceeded to dispatch his food with such alacrity,that the Marquis,filling a cup of wine,and drinking to his health,could not help remarking,that coarse as the provisions of his camp were,he was afraid Major Dalgetty had fared much worse during his excursion into Argyleshire.
