Page:English Historical Review Volume 37.djvu/381

 1922 IN THE 'FORTY-FIVE' 373 I immediately embraced this passage. We set sail about 5 o'clock and proposed to be at the Current of Ardgour x by seven, where we expected to meet some rebels. We made ready to receive them, but in a moment it turned calm and the tide being against us we were obliged to come to anchor about a mile from the Current ; we lay there till about 5 o'clock this morning, at which time we set sail and coming near the Current we were alarmed with a prodigious irregular fire from the rebels on each side and some boats in the Current. We came up as fast as possible, thinking it was some passenger boat intercepted by the villains. But when we came up, there was nothing for us to do, they having taken to the hills, and their houses were set on fire by the crews of the boats, who gave them most terrible broadsides. This happy encounter enabled Russell to get safe to Fort William, where he found everybody in high spirits. ' French Artillery will only inspire us with courage, and white cockades make us desirous after glory.' 2 Russell at once set about his business, and reported that he found the defences not in so good repair as he would have wished, the parapet being too low and some of the wall very bad. There were eight 12-pounders, twelve 6-pounders, two 13-inch mortars, and ten coehorns ; all which (as the sloops made the sea secure) he proposed to mass on the land side. He was confident if the garrison did their duty that the fort would not be taken. Russell did not, however, remain for the siege, but went back to Inverary when Scott arrived. Scott was well able to take charge ; for though his first service was in the Royal North British Dragoons (the Scots Greys), and though he had been a captain in Guise's since 1741, he had served as an engineer in Flanders under the duke of Cumberland in 1745, and perhaps at an earlier time at Gibraltar. 3 Lieutenant Taaffe of Guise's had also some training as an engineer. Captain Scott, who left Aberdeen on 28 February, reached Inverary on the very day of the fight at the Narrows. General Campbell at once sent him forward, and, by way of Dunstaffnage, Scott reached Eilean Stalker on 6 March. There he found that the rebels had gathered again at the Narrows, and there was no boat that could carry more than two or three men besides the rowers. Since his coming had already been reported to the enemy, it was not prudent to venture further till he could get an armed boat from one of the ships of war. Unfavourable winds caused further delay. But Scott was not the man to waste any time. He had grasped already somewhat of what 1 i. e. Corran Narrows. 2 State Papers, Scotland, ii. 29, no. 14. Two letters of Russell to General Campbell on 4 March. 3 Dalton, George 1's Army, ii. 207. Scott was under Albemarle at Gibraltar (see p. 381 below), and was therefore absent from his own regiment.