“You have greater military experience than any of us, brigadier,” said the earl. “What plan do you suggest?”
“Will you follow out my plan, if I offer it?” said the brigadier.
“We will,” replied the earl. “If we waste time in discussion, the enemy will be upon us.”
“Aweel, then,” said Mackintosh. “It will be useless to defend the bridge, since the river is fordable in many places, nor do I think it would be safe to risk a battle outside the town, because the Highlanders have not yet learned to face cavalry. Nothing frightens them so much as a charge of horse. For this reason I would have the battle take place within the town, where the cavalry, of which the enemy's force chiefly consists, will be least serviceable, and where the Highlanders will fight well. Barricades and intrenchments can be thrown up in different parts of the streets, so as to impede the advance of the enemy, and a destructive fire can be poured upon them from the roofs and windows of the houses.”
All approved of the plan, except Forster, and he was overruled.
“How many barricades shall we require?—and where do you propose to erect them?” said Lord Widdring-ton.
“Four will suffice,” replied the brigadier. “In fact, we haven't time to form more The first shall be placed a little below the church, and as it is likely to be the chief object of attack, I will take the command of it myself.”
“Why not make it at the extreme end of the street, so as to prevent the entrance of the enemy?” said Forster.
“There are so many lanes and avenues thereabouts that I should require more men than I possess to defend the post,” replied the brigadier. “The second barrier will be best placed, in my opinion, at the back of the house now occupied by Lord Derwentwater, and I would have it commanded by Lord Charles Murray.”
“I accept the post,” replied the gallant young nobleman.