His groom of the chambers had scarce lighted a pair of torches,and Montrose himself had scarce risen from his couch,when two men entered,one wearing a Lowland dress,of shamoy leather worn almost to tatters;the other a tall upright old Highlander,of a complexion which might be termed iron-grey,wasted and worn by frost and tempest.
"What may be your commands with me,my friends?"said the Marquis,his hand almost unconsciously seeking the but of one of his pistols;for the period,as well as the time of night,warranted suspicions which the good mien of his visitors was not by any means calculated to remove.
"I pray leave to congratulate you,"said the Lowlander,"my most noble General,and right honourable lord,upon the great battles which you have achieved since I had the fortune to be detached from you,It was a pretty affair that tuilzie at Tippermuir;
nevertheless,if I might be permitted to counsel--"
"Before doing so,"said the Marquis,"will you be pleased to let me know who is so kind as to favour me with his opinion?"
"Truly,my lord,"replied the man,"I should have hoped that was unnecessary,seeing it is not so long since I took on in your service,under promise of a commission as Major,with half a dollar of daily pay and half a dollar of arrears;and I am to trust your lordship has nut forgotten my pay as well as my person?"
"My good friend,Major Dalgetty,"said Montrose,who by this time perfectly recollected his man,"you must consider what important things have happened to put my friends'faces out of my memory,besides this imperfect light;but all conditions shall be kept.
--And what news from Argyleshire,my good Major?We have long given you up for lost,and I was now preparing to take the most signal vengeance upon the old fox who infringed the law of arms in your person."
"Truly,my noble lord,"said Dalgetty,"I have no desire that my return should put any stop to so proper and becoming an intention;verily it is in no shape in the Earl of Argyle's favour or mercy that I now stand before you,and I shall be no intercessor for him.But my escape is,under Heaven,and the excellent dexterity which,as an old and accomplished cavalier,I displayed in effecting the same,--I say,under these,it is owing to the assistance of this old Highlander,whom I venture to recommend to your lordship's special favour,as the instrument of saving your lordship's to command,Dugald Dalgetty of Drumthwacket."
"A thankworthy service,"said the Marquis,gravely,"which shall certainly be requited in the manner it deserves."
"Kneel down,Ranald,"said Major Dalgetty (as we must now call him),"kneel down,and kiss his Excellency's hand."
The prescribed form of acknowledgment not being according to the custom of Ranald's country,he contented himself with folding his arms on his bosom,and making a low inclination of his head.
"This poor man,my lord,"said Major Dalgetty,continuing his speech with a dignified air of protection towards Ranald M'Eagh,"has strained all his slender means to defend my person from mine enemies,although having no better weapons of a missile sort than bows and arrows,whilk your lordship will hardly believe."
"You will see a great many such weapons in my camp,"said Montrose,"and we find them serviceable."[In fact,for the admirers of archery it may be stated,not only that many of the Highlanders in Montrose's army used these antique missiles,but even in England the bow and quiver,once the glory of the bold yeomen of that land,were occasionally used during the great civil wars.]
"Serviceable,my lord!"said Dalgetty;"I trust your lordship will permit me to be surprised--bows and arrows!--I trust you will forgive my recommending the substitution of muskets,the first convenient opportunity.But besides defending me,this honest Highlander also was at the pains of curing me,in respect that I had got a touch of the wars in my retreat,which merits my best requital in this special introduction of him to your lordship's notice and protection."
"What is your name,my friend?"said Montrose,turning to the Highlander.
"It may not be spoken,"answered the mountaineer.
"That is to say,"interpreted Major Dalgetty,"he desires to have his name concealed,in respect he hath in former days taken a castle,slain certain children,and done other things,whilk,as your good lordship knows,are often practised in war time,but excite no benevolence towards the perpetrator in the friends of those who sustain injury.I have known,in my military experience,many brave cavaliers put to death by the boors,simply for having used military license upon the country."
"I understand,"said Montrose:"This person is at feud with some of our followers.Let him retire to the court of guard,and we will think of the best mode of protecting him."
"You hear,Ranald,"said Major Dalgetty,with an air of superiority,"his Excellency wishes to hold privy council with me,you must go to the court of guard.--He does not know where that is,poor fellow!--he is a young soldier for so old a man;I will put him under the charge of a sentinel,and return to your lordship incontinent."He did so,and returned accordingly.
