Charles Murray, who was remarkable for his graceful person and good looks.
Lord Nairn and some of the subaltern officers were also thought very fine men.
Indeed, the Highlanders generally produced a favourable impression on the good folks of Kelso, who gave them a far warmer welcome than they had accorded to their allies.
The junction between the confederate forces formed a curious and interesting scene. When the brigadier first beheld the Northumbrian detachment drawn up in the market-place, he was struck by the handsome show made by both horses and men, but when he began to scrutinise them, he quickly changed his opinion.
“Saul o' my body! this will never do!” he exclaimed to Lord Charles Murray. “Those abalyiements are na fit for war. Saw ye ever before a dragoon with a hunting-saddle on his horse's back, a toasting-fork by his side, or a riding-whip in his hand? I trow not. They should get basket-hilted broad swords like our ain, saddles wi' high pommels and holsters, and as to those riding-whips, I should like to lay them across the shoulders of the bearers.”
“The men certainly look better equipped for flight than for attack,” replied Lord Charles. “But we must not judge them too harshly. They may fight well in spite of their dress swords, and charge even with race-horses.”
“Vera true,” replied the brigadier, laughing. “And here comes General Forster.”
“By my faith! he looks more like an English fox-hunter than a soldier,” remarked Lord Charles in an undertone. “I wonder how they came to choose him.”
“They couldna help it,” replied the brigadier. “Lord Derwentwater was the right man, yet being a Papist, he wouldn't do.”
Attended by Lord Charles Murray, Lord Nairn, Major Forbes, and Logie Drummond, the brigadier stepped forward to meet General Forster, who was closely followed by Lord Derwentwater and the other Northumbrian officers.