VI.—THE HIGHLANDERS REFUSE TO CROSS THE BORDER.
Next day symptoms of revolt began to appear among the Highlanders, who had been told by Lord Wintoun that if they went to England they would infallibly be defeated by the superior force brought against them, and would either be cut to pieces, taken prisoners and hanged, or sold as slaves to the plantations.
Assembling on the Moot Hill, at the head of the town, they refused to come down, even at the orders of their chief, and told him if they were led against the enemy they would fight, but that they would not cross the Border.
“Wherefore not?” he cried. “Why the devil are you afraid to fight the Southrons on their aim ground? You are ready to meet them here, but not south of the Solway Firth. Your pay is assured you, and it will be your ain faut if ye dinna double it.”
“But they tell us we shall never come back,” rejoined the sergeant, who acted as spokesman.
“Who tells you so?” demanded the brigadier.
“One who knows what he says, and wouldn't deceive us,” replied the sergeant.
“Zounds, man! do you think I would deceive you?” cried the brigadier. “I tell you that in England you will get plenty to eat and drink—plenty of plunder—whereas in Scotland you have nothing but starvation to expect. Now choose! Will you follow me, who have led you on thus far triumphantly, and will lead you on to further conquest—or desert me, when I most need your services, for one who has neither the will nor the power to reward you?”
“We will follow you, brigadier,” shouted the majority of the men. “Take us where you will.”
“I will first take you where each of you can get a mutchkin of whisky to drink the king's health. You will then prepare to march to Langholm, on the road to Long-town!”
After resting for the night at Langholm, where they had some difficulty in finding quarters, the insurgents continued their march next day, uncertain whether they should proceed to Langholm or Ecclefechan, when a decision was unexpectedly brought about.