Unknown (19 page)

'It
is scarce worth it,' his chief agreed, glancing assessingly about
him. 'See - a score of men down each side of this track. Each one
length apart Facing inwards. And lances couched. The rest drawn up
in close ranks, ten abreast. Still facing west. That should serve.'
Although his tone was entirely conversational and unhurried, there
was somewhere at the back of it the ring of sure, almost joyous
command.

With
a short bark of a laugh, Inchbrakie began to marshal his men into
the required hollow-square formation, closing and flanking the
track, which here bent away through the woodland beyond, out of
sight. The word was passed for complete quiet

So
when, after a longer wait than most anticipated, the Marquis of
Hamilton and the first of his company came trotting round the
comer, it was to find themselves abruptly confronted, and their way
barred, by a solid phalanx of disciplined, armed and silent men, in
such a position that there was no turning sideways either. There was
a great pulling up and reining in of horses, with outcry and
alarm — and consequent confusion behind, round the bend where
the on-comers could see nothing of what went on. Chaos reigned on
one side, utter and steely calm on the other,

Montrose,
however, was anything but steely. He rode forward from the open
front of his square, sweeping off the hat he had re-donned in a
complicated flourish, his bow from the saddle profound, his smile
all-embracing. A half-length behind Black Pate followed, the now
unfurled Graham standard fluttering above him.

‘
Welcome,
my lord Marquis t Welcome, in the name of the Convention of the
Estates of Scotland! I am desolated that we could not express our
welcome earlier. But we looked for the King's Commissioner at the
Border - not coming from Lanarkshire
1'

"What
, . , what a God's name is this!' Hamilton exclaimed, dividing
his alarmed glance equally between front and rear, and obtaining
reassurance in neither direction. He was no coward - indeed he had
been decorated for leading cavalry charges in the Swedish wars of
Gustavus - but this sort of situation was enough to upset the most
phlegmatic ‘Montrose -
1
say
what is this?'

‘
What
but a greeting, my lord? As I say. A respectful greeting for the
King's Royal Commissioner — if belated. I have the honour to
be sent by the Joint Tables of the Convention, to bid you
welcome to Scotland, and to escort you to Edinburgh in fitting
style. Er
...
God save the King.'

Like
a sudden clap of thunder the
120
voices
behind him rapped out a staccato 'God save the King,' and as
abruptly resumed silent immobility. Hamilton jumped, rather
prominent blue eyes popping.

‘
I
. . .
ah
. . . devil take me
1
I
need no escort of yours, Montrose!' The Marquis, though less
exquisite than on the last occasion Montrose had seen him, was still
overdressed for the road, in velvet, lace, ribbons and jewellery.

"Look
on this not as mine, my lord, but as the Convention's. And now
yours. At your service.'

Hamilton's
own people were now crowding round the bend behind him. There was,
of course, insufficient room for them, what with the trees and the
stern ranks of flanking troopers. The confusion grew worse every
moment In the face of the solid, motionless, lance-couched ranks in
front, the newcomers made a sorry sight.

'I
require no such service,' the Marquis, recovering himself somewhat
now, declared. 'And certainly not from the King's enemies.'

'The
King has scarce an enemy in all Scotland,' the younger man assured
him. ‘I hope that it was the King's
friends
that
you came to speak with, my lord?'

The
other coughed.

'See,
sir - here is my kinsman Inchbrakie, as loyal a subject as His
Grace possesses in all his realm.'

Black
Pate genuflected elaborately. "Your servant, my lord Marquis.
We have been much concerned for you.'

‘
I
know not why, sir.'

'We
heard, with joy, that your lordship was approaching the Border,
eight days past,' he said, grave-faced. 'Bringing His Grace's royal
proclamation to Edinburgh. Then, neither hint nor hair of you, all
these days! Can you wonder at our fears for you? All Edinburgh, all
Scotland, in a stir? The King's Commissioner amissing. And the
King's proclamation likewise. They feared that the wild English
had got you. Their Border thieves are notable rascals.' Black Pate
Graham was one of the toughest characters in Perthshire. His
heartfelt anxiety, mixed with reproach, for the Marquis, had to
be heard to be believed.

Hamilton
heard but scarcely believed. He cleared his throat. 'Not so,' he
said. ‘I regret any concern. But... private matters demanded
my attention. At Hamilton. My estates. It was necessary.' Realising,
perhaps, that this might sound rather like an apology - and to a
mere Graham laird - he turned again on Montrose. 'You might have
spared yourself your trouble, my lord. In coming to meet me,'
he added thinly.

Trouble
nothing. It is all satisfaction, I assure you,' the other declared
handsomely. 'After all, it is long since I had the pleasure of sight
of you. It was at the Palace of Whitehall, was it not? One night two
years back? When you made my poor presence known to the King's
Grace!'

The
Marquis looked away, frowning. 'It was unfortunate,' he said. 'The
King was
...
was less than himself, that night Of a dark humour.'

To
be sure. Distressing. I saw your lordship doing all in your power to
guide him in the matter. Your great influence with His Grace is
known to all. I do not forget your efforts that night!'

Hamilton,
it was clear, had had enough of the subject. And of the entire
encounter. 'No doubt,' he said shortly. 'And now, Montrose, if you
will move your men aside, I will continue on my way to Edinburgh.'

'As
you wish.' Montrose nodded to Black Pate, who raised a hand to the
square of watching Graham troopers. Obedient to the signal, they
moved.

It
was not really a complicated manoeuvre. The two flanking lines
merely turned to face forwards instead of inwards, oil their
previous courses, westwards; while the solid phalanx at the end of
the box opened into two sections in their turn, but reined round to
face the other way, eastwards. As Montrose urged Hamilton on,
the former flanking files swung in quickly, determinedly, at his
back - so that, save for two gentlemen attendants and one groom, the
Marquis was cut off from his long and confused tail of supporters.

'Forward!'
James Graham called. And, pleasantly, to Hamilton, 'On to Edinburgh,
my lord.'

The
tight-knit company of 120, closely surrounding the two noblemen, set
off at a swift jingling trot, eastwards.

'But
- s'wounds, man - how dare you! Stop! Halt, I say !' Pressed
on from behind by forty horsemen, the Commissioner - or, at
least, his horse - had no option but to move forward with the rest,
'What is this? Stop! I command it'

‘
We
must escort you to Edinburgh. As we were commanded. And as your
lordship just declared. That is why we came. A guard of honour.'

'I
have my own escort.'

'Our
sorrow that you were forced to the trouble of providing it, sir. Now
all is well. Send them home, my lord Marquis.'

'No!
This is outrage! Would
...
would you lay hands on the King's Commissioner?'

'Lay
hands . . . ? Save us - outrage? You jest, my lord — that is
it, you jest! We provide most sure and heedful escort, never fear.
An hour, little more, and you will be in Holyrood-house. All Is
prepared for your comfort.'

In
some agitation, Hamilton looked behind. He could not see very well,
for the forty Grahams; but it was clear enough that no attempt was
being made, or likely to be made, by his leaderless and bewildered
company, to rescue him. In no particular formation, they were
beginning to trot along behind, uncertainly, no trouble to anyone.

'This
is beyond all!' the Marquis complained. But obviously there was
nothing that he could usefully do about it

'How
does His Grace?' Montrose enquired conversationally. 'We hear
much of his policies but little of his royal self. He is well?'

The
other, staring about him, did not vouchsafe an answer.

'It
is this realm's sorrow that we do not see more of him. Much would be
gained in understanding and affection, were he to visit Scotland
more frequently. Tell His Grace so, my lord, when you return. This
is his own true realm, as England never can be. As it is yours! It
will repay closer attention, I swear.'

The
Marquis's grunt was eloquent

Montrose
did not permit himself to be silenced. In the best of good-humour he
chatted as they trotted on, asking questions, making points,
offering advice, a man totally at ease and in control. His victim,
although he did not co-operate, could not but listen and seem to
consider, however stiff his back, hemmed in closely as he was.

Pate
Graham presently rode up. Tour men are straggling badly, my lord,'
he reported. 'Some are a mile behind. Their part is done. Have I
your authority to order that they return to Lanark? To Hamilton?'

'No!'

There
is no accommodation for them at Holyroodhouse,' Inchbrakie went on
imperturbably. 'Fodder and stabling will be hard to come by, in a
city already full to overflowing for your lordship's visit. And
these will serve no useful purpose there.'

'My
lord Marquis knows best what to do with his people, Pate,' Montrose
observed judicially. 'Perhaps he will quarter them at Colinton. Or
at Dalkeith. Or at Salt Preston. Since Edinburgh is so full. Costly
- but his lordship is a man of great means, we know. Care no more
for it'

'As
you will, my lord. Although - these towns you name are already
crowded also. Haddington, perhaps - but it is half a day's ride from
Edinburgh ...'

Hamilton,
who was notoriously unwilling to spend money, save on his personal
adornment, was looking ever more unhappy. He kept glancing
behind him, but gaining no comfort.