The Marquis of Montrose . Therewere one or two bold deeds, such as Black Patesrepulse of the Argyll men at Callander, and the youngLord Napiers defence of Kincardine Castle ; but forthe most part these months are a record of forcedinactivity and constant disappointments. The viceroyhad no more than one thousand men, while Huntlyhad 2,000, including 600 horse, to do his idlebiddings. The splendid fighting force of the Gordonswas frittered away. Their chief refused to co-operate with Montrose, or indeed to undertake anyserious operation of war except the siege of some littleMorayshire castles to
The Marquis of Montrose . Therewere one or two bold deeds, such as Black Patesrepulse of the Argyll men at Callander, and the youngLord Napiers defence of Kincardine Castle ; but forthe most part these months are a record of forcedinactivity and constant disappointments. The viceroyhad no more than one thousand men, while Huntlyhad 2,000, including 600 horse, to do his idlebiddings. The splendid fighting force of the Gordonswas frittered away. Their chief refused to co-operate with Montrose, or indeed to undertake anyserious operation of war except the siege of some littleMorayshire castles to gratify private patient letters to him are the only clueswe have to the movements of the royal army.^^ Itwas at Advie and Castle Grant in the end of December,moving about Strathspey in January, at Kyllachy onthe Findhorn in February, and at Petty on the coastin March. Without Huntlys help Montrose coulddo nothing at Inverness, and without some signalvictory he could not hope to recruit trimmers like. /^A AFTER PHILIPHAUGH. 205 Seaforth, Macleod of Skye, and Sir James Macdonaldof Sleat. Middleton had come north again, Lesliehaving departed to England to look after arrearsof pay, and the 1,400 men he brought withhim, joined to those he had left, made a formidablearmy on the Royalist flank. It was the businessof the Gordons to watch this force and preventit crossing the Spey. But Huntly was busy with hisprivate vendettas, and Lord Lewis, who held the castleof Rothes, amused himself by sending false news andplaying tricks upon Montroses oflficers. The viceroynarrowly escaped being caught at Inverness, and wascompelled to flee into the mountains to the south anddouble back to Speyside. Matters had now reached a crisis. Huntly was notonly no friend, he was becoming an active enemy,and Montrose resolved to treat him as such. Butbefore taking any step he made one more efibrt to seehim. On the 27th of May he rode twenty miles tothe Bog of Gight, but Huntly saw him
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