Charles got less cautious as he got surer, and
moreover, as I could not but observe, he was mellowing somewhat under the
brandy he was drinking. Princes commonly have no judgment of men, having
never the need of noting their humours in order to mould them to their
will. So now Charles bluntly attacked the Colonel again on the military
aspect of the situation, which was merely butting against a stone wall.
"You must remember, Colonel," he said, "that my Highlanders have driven
the English soldiery before them like sheep. They wiped out an army of
them at Gladsmuir in less than fifteen minutes, and only lost thirty men
killed in doing it."
"Sir," said the Colonel, "give me one thousand English soldiers for a
week and I'll pit them against any thousand Highlanders you like to bring
against 'em."
"Then it's a good job you're on my side," said Charles.
"It is indeed, sir," said the Colonel, very quietly, "and under favour,
sir, you will be well advised to have your troops exercised in the best
ways of charging men who don't mean to run from them. There's no military
science wanted to beat men who run away from you as soon as you attack.
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