This time I took the sorrel and Maclachlan marched beside Margaret on her
mare, for the Colonel wanted to give me an account, derived from the young
Chief, of the Prince's marchings and victories. The Highlanders being
astonishing foot-folk, and the Colonel being full of analogies and
digressions, the tower of Leek church came in sight before we had got the
Prince out of Edinburgh.
A halt was called to discuss what was to be done. The Colonel dismounted,
and we followed his example. Margaret, I noticed, coloured slightly as
Maclachlan lifted her down. She had been as cool and unfluttered as a
marble image when she lay in my arms. Maclachlan was for marching on into
the town, and the doubt on the Colonel's face rather nettled him.
"The considerable town of Manchester," he said, "was entered, and in part
seized, by one Scots sergeant and his drummer. Of a certainty near a score
of Maclachlans can intake yon little clachan."
"Of a certainty," retorted the Colonel, "Margaret and one of your pipers
would be enough if we only had the townspeople to consider. There's no
game much easier than walking into a lion's den when the lion isn't there,
but it's pure foolishness to play the game till you're sure he's not at
home.
Pages:
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293