Page:Awful phenomena of nature -- snow storms, third of March and twenty-third April, 1827.pdf/19

 service was a company of Argyle’s regiment, commanded by Captain Campbell of Glenlyon. "They marched into the valley of Glencoe, under pretence of levying the arrears of the land-tax and hearth-money. When Macdonald demanded whether they came as friends or enemies, Campbell answered, ; and promised, upon his honour, that neither he (Macdonald) nor his people would sustain the least injury! In consequence of this declaration, Campbell and his men were received with the most cordial hospitality, and lived fifteen days with the men of the valley, in all the appearance of the most unreserved friendship. At length the fatal period approached."

"Macdonald and Campbell," says Smollet, having passed the day together, parted about seven in the evening, with mutual professions of the warmest affection. The younger Macdonald perceiving the guard doubled, began to suspect some treachery, and communicated this suspicion to his brother; but neither he nor the father would harbour the least doubt of Campbell’s sincerity; nevertheless the two young men went forth privately to make further observations. They overheard the common soldiers say, they liked not the work; that though they could have willingly fought the Macdonalds of the glen fairly in the field, they held it base to murder them in cold blood, but that their officers were answerable for their treachery. When the youths hasted back to apprise their father of the impending danger, they saw the