simple creature, Ranald MacEagh, guided me by paths which my

steed Gustavus (which your lordship may remember) trode with
perfect safety, so that I said to myself, that where guides,

spies, or intelligencers, were required in a Highland campaign in
that western country, more expert persons than he and his

attendants could not possibly be desired."
"And can you answer for this man's fidelity?" said Montrose;

"what is his name and condition?"
"He is an outlaw and robber by profession, something also of a

homicide or murderer," answered Dalgetty; "and by name, called
Ranald MacEagh; whilk signifies, Ranald, the Son of the Mist."

"I should remember something of that name," said Montrose,
pausing: "Did not these Children of the Mist perpetrate some act

of cruelty upon the M'Aulays?"
Major Dalgetty mentioned the circumstance of the murder of the

forester, and Montrose's active memory at once recalled all the
circumstances of the feud.

"It is most unlucky," said Montrose, "this inexpiable quarrel
between these men and the M'Aulays. Allan has borne himself

bravely in these wars, and possesses, by the wild mystery of his
behaviour and language, so much influence over the minds of his

countrymen, that the consequences of disobliging him might be
serious. At the same time, these men being so capable of

rendering useful service, and being as you say, Major Dalgetty,
perfectly trustworthy--"

"I will pledge my pay and arrears, my horse and arms, my head and
neck, upon their fidelity," said the Major; "and your Excellency

knows, that a soldado could say no more for his own father."
"True," said Montrose; "but as this is a matter of particular

moment, I would willingly know the grounds of so positive an
assurance."

"Concisely then, my lord," said the Major, "not only did they
disdain to profit by a handsome reward which Argyle did me the

honour to place upon this poor head of mine, and not only did
they abstain from pillaging my personal property, whilk was to an

amount that would have tempted regular soldiers in any service of
Europe; and not only did they restore me my horse, whilk your

Excellency knows to be of value, but I could not prevail on them
to accept one stiver, doit, or maravedi, for the trouble and

expenses of my sick bed. They actually refused my coined money
when freely offered,--a tale seldom to be told in a Christian

land."
"I admit," said Montrose, after a moment's reflection, "that

their conduct towards you is good evidence of their fidelity; but
how to secure against the breaking out of this feud?" He paused,

and then suddenly added, "I had forgot I have supped, while you,
Major, have been travelling by moonlight."

He called to his attendants to fetch a stoup of wine and some
refreshments. Major Dalgetty, who had the appetite of a

convalescent returned from Highland quarters, needed not any
pressing to partake of what was set before him, but proceeded to

dispatch his food with such alacrity, that the Marquis, filling a
cup of wine, and drinking to his health, could not help

remarking, that coarse as the provisions of his camp were, he was
afraid Major Dalgetty had fared much worse during his excursion

into Argyleshire.
"Your Excellency may take your corporal oath upon that," said the

worthy Major, speaking with his mouth full; "for Argyle's bread
and water are yet stale and mouldy in my recollection, and though

they did their best, yet the viands that the Children of the Mist
procured for me, poor helpless creatures as they were, were so

unrefreshful to my body, that when enclosed in my armour, whilk I
was fain to leave behind me for expedition's sake, I rattled

therein like the shrivelled kernel in a nut that hath been kept
on to a second Hallowe'en."

"You must take the due means to repair these losses, Major
Dalgetty."

"In troth," answered the soldier, "I shall hardly be able to
compass that, unless my arrears are to be exchanged for present

pay; for I protest to your Excellency, that the three stone
weight which I have lost were simply raised upon the regular

accountings of the States of Holland."
"In that case," said the Marquis, "you are only reduced to good

marching order. As for the pay, let us once have victory--
victory, Major, and your wishes, and all our wishes, shall be

amply fulfilled. Meantime, help yourself to another cup of
wine."

"To your Excellency's health," said the Major, filling a cup to
the brim, to show the zeal with which he drank the toast, "and

victory over all our enemies, and particularly over Argyle! I
hope to twitch another handful from his board myself--I have had

one pluck at it already."
"Very true," answered Montrose; "but to return to those men of

the Mist. You understand, Dalgetty, that their presence here,
and the purpose for which we employ them, is a secret between you

and me?"
Delighted, as Montrose had anticipated, with this mark of his

General's confidence, the Major laid his hand upon his nose, and
nodded intelligence.

"How many may there be of Ranald's followers?" continued the
Marquis.

"They are reduced, so far as I know, to some eight or ten men,"
answered Major Dalgetty, "and a few women and children."

"Where are they now?" demanded Montrose.
"In a valley, at three miles' distance," answered the soldier,

"awaiting your Excellency's command; I judged it not fit to bring
them to your leaguer without your Excellency's orders."

"You judged very well," said Montrose; "it would be proper that
they remain where they are, or seek some more distant place of

refuge. I will send them money, though it is a scarce article
with me at present."

"It is quite unnecessary," said Major Dalgetty; "your Excellency
has only to hint that the M'Aulays are going in that direction,

and my friends of the Mist will instantly make volte-face, and go
to the right about."

"That were scarce courteous," said the Marquis. "Better send
them a few dollars to purchase them some cattle for the support

of the women and children."
"They know how to come by their cattle at a far cheaper rate,"

said the Major; "but let it be as your Excellency wills."
"Let Ranald MacEagh," said Montrose, "select one or two of his

followers, men whom he can trust, and who are capable of keeping
their own secret and ours; these, with their chief for scout-

master-general, shall serve for our guides. Let them be at my
tent to-morrow at daybreak, and see, if possible, that they

neither guess my purpose, nor hold any communication with each
other in private.--This old man, has he any children?"

"They have been killed or hanged," answered the Major, "to the
number of a round dozen, as I believe--but he hath left one

grand-child, a smart and hopeful youth, whom I have noted to be
never without a pebble in his plaid-nook, to fling at whatsoever

might come in his way; being a symbol, that, like David, who was
accustomed to sling smooth stones taken from the brook, he may

afterwards prove an adventurous warrior."
"That boy, Major Dalgetty," said the Marquis, "I will have to

attend upon my own person. I presume he will have sense enough
to keep his name secret?"

"Your Excellency need not fear that," answered Dalgetty; "these