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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1939-05-11, Page 6PAGE SIX' The . ,egend "Oar deer stalkers," said Angus M'Aulay, "who were 'abroad to 'bring in venison for this honorable 'party, have 'heard of a band of strangers, :speaking neither Saxon nor pure Gaelic, and with difficulty making themselves understood by the people of the country, who are marching this way in 'arms, under the leading, it is said, of Alaster M'Donaltl, .who is commonly called Young Colkitto," "These must be our men," said Montrose; "we must hasten to send messengers forward, both to act as guides and to relieve their wants." "The last," said Angus M'Aulay, "will be no easy matter; for 1 am in- formed, 'that, excepting muskets and a very little ammunition, they want everything that soldiers should have; and they are particularly deficient in money, in shoes, and in raiment." 'There is at least no use in saying so," said Montrose, "in so loud a tone. The puritan weavers of Glas- gow shall provide then with plenty of broad -cloth. when we make a de- scent •from the Highlands; and if the ministers could formerly preach the women of the Scottish boroughs out of their webs of napery, to make tents to the fellows on Dunse Law, I will try whether I have not a little h t- erest both to make these godly dames renew their patriotic gift, and the prick -eared 'knaves, their husbands, open their purses." "And respecting arms," said Cap- tain Dalgetty, "if your lordship will permit an old cavalier to speak his mind, so that the one-third have mus- keta. my darling weapon would 'be the pike for the remainder, whether for resisting a charge of horse, or for breaking the infantry. A common smith will make a hundred pike -heads in a day; here is plenty of woad for shafts; and I will uphold, that, ac- cording to the best usages of war, a strong battalion of pikes. drawn up in the fashion of the Lion of the North, the immortal Gustavus. would beat the Macedonian phalanx, of which 1 used to read in the .Maresch- al College, when I studied in the an- cient town of Ben -Accord; and fur- ther, I will venture to predicate"— The Captain's lecture upon tactics was here suddenly interrupted by Al- lan M'Aulay, who said, hastily, "Room for an unexpected and un- welcome guest!" At 'the same moment. the door of the hall opened. and a gray-haired man, of a very stately appearance. •presented himself to the assembly. There was much dignity. and even authority in his manner. His stature was above the common size, and his looks 'such as were used to com- mand, He cast a severe, and almost stern glance upon the assembly of Chiefs. Those of the higher rank among then returned it with scornful indifference; 'hut some of the western gentlemen of inferior power looked as if they wished themselves else- where, "To which of this assembly," said the stranger, "am I to address myself as leader? or have you not 'fixed upon the person who is to hold an office at least as perilous as it is hon- erable?" "Address yourself to me, Sir Dun- can Campbell," said Montrose, step- ping forward. "To youl" said Sir Duncan Camp - hell, with some scorn. "Yes,—to me," repeated Montrose, "to the Earl of Montrose, if you have forgotten him." "1 should n'ow, at least" said Sir Duncan Campbell, "have had some 'difficulty in recognizing him in the disguise of 'a groom. -Aid yet I. might have ;guessed that no evil in- fluence inferior to your lordshi'p's, distinguished as one who troubles Is- rael, could have collected 'together this rash assembly of misguided persons." ' "I will answer Onto you," said Montrose, "in the ,manner of your own Puritans. 1 have not troubled Israel, ; hut thou and thy father's house —Eut let vs leave an alterca- tion, which is of little consequence 'bat to ourselves, and hear the tidings you have brought from your Chief :of Argyle; for I mast conclude that it is in his name. that you have come to this meeting." "It is in the name of the Marquis of Argyle," said Sir Duncan Camp- bell,—"in the name of the Scottish Convention of Estates, that I demand to know the meaning of this singular convocation. If it is resigned to dis- turb the 'pewee of the country, it were but acting like neighbors, ;and men of honor, to give tis some intimation to stand upon our guard." "It is a singular, and new state of affairs in S:catland, said Montrose, turning from Sir Duncan Campbell to the assembly, 'when Scottish men of rank and family cannot meet in the house of a common friend without an inquisitorial visit and demand, on the part of our rulers, to know the sub- ject of our conference. Methinks our ancestors were .accustomed to hold Highland huntings, or other purposes of meeting, without asking the leave either of the great McCallum .More himself, or any of his emissaries or dependants:" "The times have .been such in Scot- land," answered one of the western chiefs, "and such they will again •be, when the intruders on our ,possessions are again reduced to be Lairds of Lo - chow, instead of overspreading us like a band of devouring /locusts." "Am I to understand, then," said Sir Duncan, "that it k against nay name alone that these preparations are directed? or are 'the race of Diar- mid only 'to he sufferers in common with the whole of the peaceful and orderly inhabitants of Scotland " "I would ask," said a wild -looking Chief, starting hastily ;up, ^"ane ques- tion of the Knight of Ardenvohr, ere he proceeds further in his daring cate- chisa.—Has he 'brought more titaat one lite to this castle, that he ven- tures to intrude among us .for pur- poses of insult?" "Gentlemen," said Montrose, "let nae implore your patience; a messeng- er who conies among us for the pur- pose of embassy, is entitled to free- dom of speech, and a safe conduct. And since Sir Duncan Campbell is so pressing, I care not if I inform him, for his guidance, that he is in an as- sembly of the 'King's loyal subject.. convoked by nue, in his Majesty's name and authority, and as empow- ered by his Majesty's royal com- mission." "We are to •have, then, I presume," said Sir Duncan Campbell, "a civil war in all its forms? I have been too' long a soldier to view its approach with anxiety; but it would have been for my Lord of Montrose's honor, if, in this matter, he had consulted his own ambition less, and the peace of the country store." "Those consulted their own ambi- tion and self-interest, Sir Duncan," answered Montrose, "who brought the country to the pass in which it now stands, and rendered .necessary the sharp remedies which we are now reluctantly obliged to use." "And what rank among these self- seekers," said Sir Duncan Campbell, "shall we assign to a noble Earl. so violently attached to the ,covenant, that he was 'the'first, in 1639, to cross the Tyne, wading middle deep, at the head of 'his regiment, to charge the royal forces? It was the same, I. think, MID imposed the covenant upon the 'burgesses and colleges of Aberdeen, at the point of sword and pike." "I 'understand your sneer, Sir 'Dun- can," said _Montrose temperately; "and I can only add, that if sincere repentance .can make amends for youthful error, ,and for yielding to the artful representation of ambitious hypocrites, I shall he :pardoned for the crimes with which you taunt me. I will 'at least endeavor to deserve forgiveness, for I ant 'here, with my sword in any hand, willing to spend the hest 'blood in my body to make amends for my error; and mortal THE .SEAFORTH • NEWS man ,can do no more," "Weld, ,any lord," said Sir Duncan, "I shall be sorry to carry 'ibiaok this language ;to the Marquis of . Argyle, I had it in further charge frons the Marquis, 'that, to prevent the 'bloody feuds Which nt'ust necessarily follow a Highland war, bis 'lordshi'p will be contented if ,terns .of 'truce could be arranged to the north of the High- land line, as there is ground enough - in S'catiand to 'fight upon, without neighbors' destroying each o'ther's families at'td inheritances." "It 'is a peaceful p'ro.pos:al," said Montrose, smiling, "such as it shar1 d be, Doming from ,sue whose personal actions leave always' been more pea'ce- ful than his measures. Yet, if the terms of such a truce could' be equal- ly fixed, and if •we can •obtain stein ity,—for t'ha't, Sir Duncan, is indis- peas'a'ble,--that your Marquis will Observe 'these terms atiitli •strict fidel- ity, I, for any 'part, should tve.•cou'tent to leave peace behind us, since we must deeds carry war 'befo'ne us. 'But, Sir Duncan, you are Icon old and ex- perienced a soldier dor us to permit you to remain in our leaguer, and witness our 'proceedings: we shall, you 'h therefore, when ave refreshed yourself, recommend your speedy re- turn to Inverary, and we shall send with you a 'gentleman on. our 'part to a'dj'ust the terms .of the highland armistice, in case 'the Marquis sih'all he •founcl serious in proposing such a nesesure." Sir Duncan Camip'bell as- sented by ,a bow. "My Lord 'of Menteith," 'continued Montrose, "will you ,have the good- ness to attend Sir Duncan Campbell of Ardenvohr, while we determine who shall return with 'hint to his Chief? M'Aulay will 'permit its to re- quest that he .be entertained with suitable 'hospitality." "I will give orders for that," said Allan McA'ulay, 'rising and 'coming forward. "I love Sir Duncan Camp- bell; we have been joint sufferers in former clays, and I do not forget it now." "My Lord :of 'Menteith," said Sir Duncan Campbell, "1 ant :grieved to see you, at your early age, engaged in such rebellious courses." "I ant young," .answered Menteith, "yet old enough 'to distinguish tbe- tween right and wrong, 'between loy- alty and rebellion; and the sooner a good course is 'begun, bhe longer .and the better have I a chance of run- ning it" And you, too, my driend, Allan Jl Aulay," said Sir Duncan, 'taking his hand, "must we 'also call each other enemies, that have been so of- ten allied against a common foe?" Then turning round to the meeting, he said, "Farewell, gentlemen; there are so many of you to whom I wish well, that your rejection of all terms of mediation gives me deep affliction. \lay I -leaven," he said .looking atp- ward. "judge between our motives, and those of the movers of 'this civil comma tianl" "Amen," said Montrose; "to that tribunal we all submit its.". Sir Duncan Campbell left the 'hall, accompanied by Allan. M'Aulay and Lord Menteith, "There' goes a 'true - bred," said Montrose, as the envoy departed, 'Pardon nue, my lard,"' said Evan Dhu( "hereditary enemy as I ant to their name, I have ever found the Knight of Ardenvohr brave in war, honest in peace, and true in council." "Of his own disposition," said Montrose, "such he is undoubtedly; but Ile now acts as the .organ or mouthpiece of his chief, the marquis, the falsest man that ever drew 'breath, And, McAitlay," he continued in a whisper to his host, 'lest lie should make some impression upon tite inexperience of Menteith, or the singular disposition of your 'brother, you 'had :beater send music into their chamber, to prevent their inveigling them into any private conference." "The devil a musician have I," an- swered McAOlay, "excepting the piper, who has nearly broke his wind by an ambitious contention Inc sup- eriority with three of his own craft; but I can send Arnot Lyle and her harp." :1ncl he left the apartment to _give otters accordingly. Meanwhile a warns discussion took place, who should undertake the 'per- ilous task of returning with Sir Dun- can to Inverary. To the higher dignit- aries, accustomed .to consider them- selves upon an •equality even with itt'- Callum More, this was an office not to' be proposed; unto other who could not plead the same excuse, it was 'al- together unacceptable. One would have though't Inverary had been the Valley of the Shadow of Death, the inferior Chiefs showed such reluct- ance to elu:ct-ance'to approach it. After ,a consider- able hesitation, the plain reason was at length spoken .out, namely, wlhat- , ever Highlaneler should und'er'take an office so 'distasteful to .M'Callere More, he would be sure 1o treasure the offence in his remembrance, and one day er other to make him .bitterly repent of it. In this ,dilemme, Montrose, who considered the 'proposed armistice as a mer' stratagem on the part of Ar- 'gyle, although he had not ventured bluntly 'to.refject it in presence of those whom it .concerned so nearly, absolved to impose the danger and dignity upon 'Captain 'Dalgetty, who had neither clan nor estate in the Highlands 'u'pon which the wrath of Argyle could wreak itself: But I have a neck, though," said Dalgetty, 'bluntly; "and what if he chooses to avenge himself upoei that? I .have 'known a case where an. honor- able 'amatbassador has been hanged as a spy 'before now. Neither did the Romans rise 'amb'assad'ors much more mercifully at the siege of ,Capua, al- though 1 raed that they only oat :off their hands and noses, put out their eyes, and suffered them to depart in peace." "By my :honor, Captain Dalgetty," said Montrose, '".should the Marquis, contrary to the rules of war, dare to practise any .atrocity a'ga'inst you, you may 'depend ,upon Why 'ta'ki'ng su'c'h signal vengeance 'that all S'cotlan'd shall ring ,of it" "'That will do.'b'ut little for Dal- getty," returned the Captain; "but, .corragiod as the Spaniard says. With the Land of Promise full in view, .the moor of D'rumi'tlhwtacket, mea paupera regale, as we said at 1'Iaresehal Coll- ege, I will not refuse your excell- ency's 'commission, being conscious it 'becomtes a 'oavialier of honor to obey 'his 'commander's orclers, in defi- ance 'both of gi'b'bet and sword." "Gallantly resolved," said Mont- rose "and if you will 'come apart with nue, I will furnish you 'with the conditions to :be laid before 'NI'Callunt More, upon which we are willing to grant him a truce for his Highland dominions," . With these we need not trouble our readers. They were of an evasive nat- ure, 'calculated to meet a proposal which Montrose 'considered to have been made only for the 'purpose of gaining time, When he bad put Cap- tain Dalgetty in 'complete possession of •his instructions, and 'w'hen that worthy, snaking his military obeis- ance, was near the door of his apart- ment, :Montrose made hint a sign to return. "I presume," said he, "I need not remind an officer who has served under the ;great Gustavus, that a little more is required of a person sent with a flag•'of truce than mere dis- charge of his instructions, and that his general will expect frons him on itis return some account of the state of the enemy's affairs, as far as they come .under this observa't'ion. 'In short, Captain Dalgetty, you must be un peu clairvoyant "' "Ah hal your Ekcellency," said the Captain, 'heisting his hard features into an inimitable expression of cun- ning and intelligence, "if 'they do not put my head in a poke, which I 'have 'lenown practised upon honorable sol- dados who 'have 'been suspected to conte 'upon such errands as the pres- ent, your Excellency may rely on a precise narration of whatever Dauga]d Dalgetty shall hear or see, were id even how many turn of tune there are in McCallum Yore's ,pi'broch, .or how many checks in the sett of his plaid and trews." "Enough, "answered, Montrose; "farewell; Captain Dalgetty: and as they say that a lady's mind is always expressed in her postscript, so I would have you think that the most important part of your commission lies its what I have last said to you," Dalgetty once more 'grinned intel- ligence, and withdrew to virtual his charger and 'himself, for 'the fatigues of his approaching mission. At the door of the stable,—for Gus- tavus always claimed 'his first care,— he ,act Angus M'Aulay and Sir Miles Musgrave, Who had been looking at tris horse; and, after praising his points and carriage, ,both united in strongly dissuading the Captain from 'taking an animal of such value with him, upon his present very fatiguing journey. Angus painted in the most'alarming colors the roads, . or rather wild tracks, by which it would 'be neces- sary for him to travel into Argyle - Shire, and the wretched huts or 'both- ies wehre he would be condemned to pass the night, and where no forage could 'be procured for his,•'h•criae, un- less he could eat the stumps of old heather. In short, the pronounced it absolutely im'possi'ble, 'th'a't, after und- ertaking such a pilgrimage, the ani- mal cau'id be in any case for military service. The Englishman strongly confirmed all that Angus had said, and 'gave hi'ms'elf, body and soul, to the clevil, if Ile thought it was not an act little short Of absolute murder to carry a horse worth a farthing into such a waste and inhospitable desert. Captain Dalgetty,'for an instant 'look- ed steadily, first at one of the gentle- men and next at the other, :and then asked tltent, as if in a state of in- decision, what these would advise hint to do whit—Gustavus under such circumstances, "By the hand of my father, soy dear friend," answered M'Aulay, "I.1 you leave the beast in any .keeping, you may rely on his being 'fed and sorted according 'to his worth and quality, and that ;upon your 'happy re - 'turn, you will ,find him as sleek as an onion boiled in 'bunter." "Or," said Sir, Miles Musgrave, '"1 this worthy cavalier nh'oo1e 'to part with his 'charger for .a e-easonatb'le suan, .I 'have some part of the silver can'd'les'tic'ks still dancing the heys in my purse, which I shall be very will- ingtotransfer 'to'his." "In 'brief, .mine honorable .frieinds," said Captain Dalgetty, eyeing then both with an air of comic penetr'ati'on, "I find it would not 'be al'together'un- aceep'tajble to .ed'ther of you, to have some token to. rementlbertthe old sold- ier by, in case it slta'll please M'Cal l ' at the gate lam More toban lints at um P g of his own castle. And doubtless it would he no small satisfaction to me, in such an event, that a noble and loyal cavalier like Sir Milestts- grave, ,or a worthy and hospitable chieftain '.like our 'excellent 'landlord, should act as my executor." Both hastened to protest that they 'had no such object, and insisted :again upon the impassable 'character of the Highland paths. Angus M'Aulay mumbled over a number of hard Gaelic mantes, descriptive 'of the .diffi- cult passes, precipes, corries, and 'beats, through which he said the road lay to Inverary, when old D!onald, who had now entered, sanctioned 'his master's account o'f these .difficulties, by 'holding am his hands, and elevat- ing his eyes, and shaking .his head, at every guttural which M'Aatlay pro- nounced. . But all 'this did not move the inflexible 'Captain, "My worthy 'friend's," , saki 'he, "Gustavus is not new. to 'bhe dangers of traveling, and 'the :mountains of Bohemia; and .(no 'disparagement to the 'beats' ',and corries Mr. Angus is pleased to mention, and of which Sir Miles, who never saw them,'confirms the 'horror's) 'these mountains may compete with the vilest roads in Europe. In fact, my 'horse hath a most excellent and social quality; 'for a'lthou'gh the cannot .pledge in .my 'cup, yet we share our loaf 'between us, and it will be bard if he suers famine where 'cakes or :bannocks are to be found. And, to cut this natter short, I 'beseech you, my good friends, to 'o'bserve 'the state of Sir Duncan Cantplbell's 'palfrey, which 'stands hi that stall 'before us, fat and fair; and, in return 'for your anxiety on my ac- count, 3 (give you soy 'honest assevera- tion, that while we travel the same road, both that palfrey and his rider shall lack for :food before tither Gus- tavus or i." Having said this, he filled a 'large measure with 'corn, and walked up with it to :his charger, who, 'by his low whinnying neigh, 'his pricked ears, and his pawing, showed how close the alliance was 'betwixt . him and his aider. Nor did he taste has corn amtil he 'had returned Itis mas- ter's caresses, 'by licking his hands and face. After this interchange of greeting, the steed began to his pro- vender with an eager despatch which showed .old ,military •ha:bits and the master, after looki'n'g on the animal with great complacency for about five minutes, said,"Much 'good snag it do your honest heart, Gustavus;— new must I go and lay in provant myself for the campaign" He •then departed, having first sal used the Englishman and Angus 31'- Aulay, who remained looking at each other for some time in silence, 'and then 'burst out into a fit of laughter. "That fellow," 'said Sir Miles Mus- grave, "is 'formed to go 'through the world." "I shall 'think so too," said M'Aul- ay, "if be Dan slip 'through M'Callusn 'More's fingers as easily as he has done through ours." "Do you think," said the English- man, "that the Marquis will not re- spect, in Captain Dalgetty's person, the lavas of civilized war?" "ATo more than I would respect a Lowland proclamation," said Angus M'Aelay—"But come along, it is time I were returning to my 'guests." CHAPTER IX, --;In a rebellion, When what's not meet, but wont must, was law, Then were they chosen; in a 'better hour, Let what is meet he said it must he meet, 1 And 'throw their power i'the dust. Coriolanus. In a small apartment remote from the rest of the .guests assembled at the castle, Sir Duncan Campbell was pre- sented with every species` of refresh- stent, and respectfully attended by Lord Menteith and by, Allan •21'Aulay. His discourse :with the latter turned n'pan a 'sort of 'hunting campaign, in which •th•ey lead been engaged togeth- er against 'the Children of the Mist, with whom the 'Knigh't of Ardenvohr, as well as the M'Aulays,'had. a deadly and irre'con'cila'b'le feud. Sir Duncan, however, speedily endeavored to dead back the conversation to the subject of his present 'errand to 'the castle of D'annit nvarach. (Continued) "No," snap'pe'd the ,old man, as he scanned the menu, 'i won't' have any mushrooms, waiter. I was nearly poisom.ed by them last week." THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1939. PROF'ESS'I.ONAL CARDS Medical SEAFORTH CLINIC Dr. E. A. McMaster, M.B., Gradu- ate, of University of Toronto. J. D. Calquhoun, M.D., C.M., 'Grad- •uate of 'Dalhousie University, Halifax. The Clinic, is fully equipped with complete and modern x-ray and other up -'to -date diagnostic and there'uptic equipment. Dr. Margaret K. Campbell, M.D. g' P , L.A.B.P., Specialist in Diseases in Infants and Children, will .be at the Clinic last Thursday • in every month from 3 to '6 p.m. Dr. F. J. R. Forster, Specialist in Diseases of the Ear, Eye, Nose and Throat, will be at. the Clinic the first Tuesday in every month from 4 to 6 p.m. • Free wefi'ba'by clinic will he held on, the second and last Thursday in every month from 1 to 2 p.m. JOHN A. GOR'WILL, B,A.,IVI.D. Physician and Surgeon In Dr. H. H. Ross' office. Phone 51 J W. C. SPROAT, M.D., F.A.C.S, Surgery Rhone 90-W. Office 'John St., Seaforth DR. H. HUGH ROSS, Physician and Surgeon Late of London Hos- pital, London, England. Special at. tention to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. Office and zes'idence be'h'ind Dominion Bank, Office Phone No. 5; Residence Phone 104. • DR, F. J. BURROWS, Office Main St, Seaforth, over Dominion Bank. Hours 2'5 and 7 to 8 p.m. and by ap- pointment, Residence, 'Goderich St., two doors west of United Church. Phone 46. DR. F. J. R. FORSTER— Eye Ear, Nose and Throat. Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto 11997. Late Assistant New York Ophthal- mic and Aural Institute, Moorefield's Eye, and Golden Square throat hospi- tals, London. At Commercial Hotel, Seaforth, third Wednesday in nett month from 1.30 p.m. to '5 p.m. Auctioneer. GEORGE ELLIOTT, Licensed Auctioneer for the County of. Huron. Arrangements can be made for Sale Date at The Seaforth News. Charges moderate and satisfaction guaranteed F. W. AH'R'EN.S, Licensed Auctiot. eer for Perth and Huron Counties. Sales Solicited. Terms on Application. Farm Stock, chattels and real estate property. R. R. No. 4, Mitchell. Phone 634 r 6. Apply at this office. WATSON & REID REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE AGENCY (Successors to James Watson) MAIN ST., SEAFORTH, ONT. All kinds of Insurance risks effect- ed at lowest rates in First -Class Companies. THE MCKILLOP Mutual Fire Insurance Ca HEAD OFFICE—SEAFORTH; Ont. OFFICERS President, Thomas Moylan, Sea - forth; Vice President, William Knox, Londesboro; Secretary Treasurer, M A, Reid, Seaforth. AGENTS F. McKercher, R.R.'1, Dublin; John E. Pepper, R.R1, Bruce'field; E. R. G. Yarmouth, Brodhagen; James Watt, Blyth; C. F. Hewitt, Kincardine, Wm, Yeo, Holmesville. DIRECTORS Alex, Broadfoot, Seaforth No, 3;. James S'h'oldice, Walton; Wm. Knox, Londesboro; George Leonhardt,. Bornholm No. 1; Frank McGregor, Olinten No. 5; James Connolly, God.. erich; 'Alex McEwing, Blyth Ne. 1; Thomas Mpylan, Seaforth No. at Wm. R. Archibald, Seaforth No. 4. Parties desirous to effect insurance or transact other business, will be promptly attended to by applications to any of the above named officers addressed to their respective post- -_ offices. The waiter leaned confidingly across the table.. "Is that really so, sir?" be said, 'blandly. `.'Then won my :bet with the cook.