despatched a strong force, with instructions to make him prisoner.  From this time, until the day of his death, he allowed himself no repose.  Imitating the example, and inheriting the enthusiasm of his great predecessor Montrose, he invoked the loyalty of the clans to assist him in the struggle for legitimacy—­and he did not appeal to them in vain.  His name was a spell to rouse the ardent spirits of the mountaineers; and not the Great Marquis himself, in the height of his renown, was more sincerely welcomed and more fondly loved than “Ian dhu nan Cath,”—­Dark John of the Battles,—­the name by which Lord Dundee is still remembered in Highland song.  In the mean time the Convention, terrified at their danger, and dreading a Highland inroad, had despatched Mackay, a military officer of great experience, with a considerable body of troops, to quell the threatened insurrection.  He was encountered by Dundee, and compelled to evacuate the high country and fall back upon the Lowlands, where he subsequently received reinforcements, and again marched northward.  The Highland host was assembled at Blair, though not in great force, when the news of Mackay’s advance arrived; and a council of the chiefs and officers was summoned, to determine whether it would be most advisable to fall back upon the glens and wild fastnesses of the Highlands, or to meet the enemy at once, though with a force far inferior to his.

Most of the old officers, who had been trained in the foreign wars, were of the former opinion—­“alleging that it was neither prudent nor cautious to risk an engagement against an army of disciplined men, that exceeded theirs in numbers by more than a half.”  But both Glengarry and Locheill, to the great satisfaction of the General, maintained the contrary view, and argued that neither hunger nor fatigue were so likely to depress the Highlanders, as a retreat when the enemy was in view.  The account of the discussion is so interesting, and so characteristic of Dundee, that I shall take leave to quote its termination in the words of Drummond of Balhaldy: 

“An advice so hardy and resolute could not miss to please the generous Dundee.  His looks seemed to heighten with an air of delight and satisfaction all the while Locheill was speaking.  He told his council that they had heard his sentiments from the mouth of a person who had formed his judgment upon infallible proofs drawn from a long experience, and an intimate acquaintance with the persons and subject he spoke of.  Not one in the company offering to contradict their general, it was unanimously agreed to fight.

“When the news of this vigorous resolution spread through the army, nothing was heard but acclamations of joy, which exceedingly pleased their gallant general; but before the council broke up, Locheill begged to be heard for a few words.  ‘My Lord’ said he, ’I have just now declared, in the presence of this honourable company, that I was resolved to give an implicit obedience to all your Lordship’s