But his advice, though approved by General Forster and the English officers, was opposed by the Earl of Wintoun.
“As Scotsmen,” said his lordship, “we are best able to serve the king's cause in our own country, and are therefore most reluctant to cross the Border. Is it not so?” he added, appealing to his compatriots—all of whom assented except Mackintosh.
“But you have the Earl of Mar's orders to advance,” remarked General Forster. “How can you disobey them?”
“The Earl of Mar is not aware of our exact position,” replied Lord Wintoun, “or his orders would be countermanded. At present, all communication with him is difficult, and if we enter England it will be entirely cut off. But it may be opened—and this is the plan of operation I would recommend. Falling back to the north-west, attacking Dumfries and Glasgow on our way, we shall be able to join the Western Clans, and, combining with them, can either cross the Firth above Stirling, or proceed as the Earl of Mar may direct.”
This proposition was manifestly to the taste of the Scottish leaders, most of whom signified their approval of it.
“But why throw away our present chance?” cried the Earl of Derwentwater. “Why not attack Carpenter when we can do so with every advantage? From the report just received he is greatly our inferior in numbers, and his troops are exhausted. The prestige of a victory would be of immense service to the cause.”
“We do not care to cross the Tweed,” again objected Lord Wintoun.
“If you won't cross the Tweed, my lord, General Carpenter will,” rejoined Lord Derwentwater, contemptuously.
“He will gain little by the movement,” retorted Lord Wintoun. “He will find Kelso evacuated, and will not dare follow us.”
“Is this the sort of fighting we are to expect?” cried Lord Derwentwater. “Are we always to retreat on the appearance of the foe? We Northumbrians did not come to Scotland to join the Western Clans, but to meet our brave ally Brigadier Mackintosh, who is pledged to march with us to London, and we claim fulfilment of his promise. As to General Carpenter, if our allies won't help us, we will attack him alone. Do I not express your sentiments, general?” he added to Forster.