“We must make a circuit to-morrow,” Harry said, “to avoid Stirling, and will go round by Doune, and thence make for the north.  Once among the mountains we shall be safe from all pursuit, and from any interference by the Roundheads, for I believe that the clans of this part are all in favor of Montrose—­Argyll’s power lying far to the west.”

“It will be a comfort,” Jacob said, “not to be obliged to talk through one’s nose, and to cast one’s eyes upward.  I imagine that these Highlanders are little better than savages.”

“That is so,” Harry said.  “They are, I believe, but little changed since the days when the Romans struggled with them, and could make no head north of the Forth.”

The next day, by a long circuit, they traveled round Stirling, and reached the bridge of Doune, there crossing the Teith unquestioned.  They soon left the main road, and struck into the hills.  They had not traveled far when three strange figures suddenly presented themselves.  These men were clad in a garb which to the lads was strange and wild indeed.  The kilt, as worn by Highlanders on show occasions in the present day is a garment wholly unlike that worn by their ancestors, being, indeed, little more than a masquerade dress.  The kilt of the old time resembled indeed the short petticoat now worn by savage peoples.  It consisted of a great length of cloth wound round and round the loins, and falling like a loose petticoat to the knees, a portion being brought over one shoulder, and then wrapped round and round the body.  It was generally of dark material; the tartans now supposed to be peculiar to the various clans being then unknown, or at least not worn by the common people, although the heads of the clans may have worn scarfs of those patterns.  A Highland gentleman or chief, however, dressed in the same garb as Englishmen—­that is, in armor, with doublet and hose.  His wild followers lived in huts of the most primitive description, understood no language but their own, obeyed the orders of their chiefs to the death, and knew nothing either of kings or of parliaments.  For arms these men carried a broad target or shield made of bull’s hide, and a broadsword of immense length hanging behind them, the hilt coming above the shoulder.

What they said the lads could not understand.  But when Harry repeated the word “Montrose,” the Highlanders nodded, and pointed to signify that the road they were pursuing was the right one, and two of them at once set out with them as escorts.

For several days they traveled north, stopping at little groups of cabins, where they were always received with rough hospitality, the assertion of their guides that they were going to the great earl being quite sufficient passport for them.  Bannocks of oatmeal with collops, sometimes of venison, sometimes of mountain sheep, were always at their service, washed down by a drink new to the boys, and which at first brought the water into their eyes.  This was called usquebaugh, and had a strange peaty flavor, which was at first very unpleasant to them, but to which before they left Scotland they became quite accustomed.  The last two days they traveled upon broad roads again, and being now in a country devoted to the Earl of Montrose, were under no apprehension whatever of interference.