WILLIAM AND HUEY.

7

majestic; and he possessed in large measure those intellectualqualities which, in rude societies, give men an ascendencyover their fellows. Breadalbane found himself, at every stepof the negotiation, thwarted by the arts of his old enemy,and abhorred the name of Glencoe more and more everyday.*

But the government did not trust solely to Breadalbane’sdiplomatic skill. The authorities at Edinburgh put forth aproclamation exhorting the clans to submit to King Williamand Queen Mary, and offering pardon to every rebel who, onor.before the thirty-first of December 1691, should swear to livepeaceably under the government of their Majesties. It w'asannounced that those who should hold out after that day w’ouldbe treated as enemies and traitors.** Warlike preparationswere made, which showed that the threat was meant in earnest.The Highlanders were alarmed, and, though the pecuniaryterms had not been satisfactorily settled, thought it prudent togive the pledge which was demanded of them. No chief,indeed, was willing to set the example of submission. Glen-garry blustered, and pretended to fortify his house.*** “I willnot,” saidLochiel, “break the ice. That is a point of honourwith me. But my tacksmen and people may use their free-dom.”! His tacksmen and people understood him, and re-paired by hundreds to the Sheriff to take the oaths. TheMacdonalds of Sleat, Clanronald, ICeppoch, and even Glen-garry, imitated the Camerons; and the chiefs, after tryingto outstay each other as long as they durst, imitated theirvassals.

The thirty-first of December arrived; and still the Mac-

* Gallienus Redivivus; Burnet, ii. 88.; Report of the Commission of1695.

** Report of the Glencoe Commission, 1695.

«** Hill to Melville, May 15. 1691.

*}• Hill to Melville, June 3. 1691.