324

IITSTOE.Y OF ENGLAND.

CHAP.

_XIII.

16897

Dundeeappearsin Kep-poch’scamp.

have very complacently contrasted with the factious turbulenceof the Whigs.*

If Keppoch had ever stood in any awe of the government,he was completely relieved from that feeling by the generalanarchy which followed the Revolution. He wasted the landsof the Mackintoshes, advanced to Inverness, and threatenedthe town with destruction. The danger was extreme. Thehouses were surrounded only by a wall which time and weatherhad so loosened that it shook in every storm. Yet the inhabi-tants showed a bold front; and their courage was stimulated bytheir preachers. Sunday the twenty eighth of April was a dayof alarm and confusion. The savages went round and round thesmall colony of Saxons like a troop of famished wolves rounda sheepfold. Keppoch threatened and blustered. He w r ouldcome in with all his men. He would sack the place. Theburghers meanwhile mustered in arms round the market crossto listen to the oratory of their ministers. The day closedwithout an assault; the Monday and the Tuesday passed awayin intense anxiety; and then an unexpected mediator made hisappearance.

Dundee, after his flight from Edinburgh, had retired to hiscountry seat in that valley through which the Glamis descendsto the ancient castle of Macbeth. Here he remained quietduring some time. He protested that he had no intention ofopposing the new government. He declared himself ready toreturn to Edinburgh, if only he could be assured that he shouldbe protected against lawless violence; and he offered to givehis word of honour, or, if that were not sufficient, to give bail,that he would keep the peace. Some of his old soldiers hadaccompanied him, and formed a garrison sufficient to protecthis house against the Presbyterians of the neighbourhood.Here he might possibly have remained unharmed and harm-* Seo the Life of Sir Ewan Cameron.