Page:Gallant exploits of Lord Dundee.pdf/14

23 Ireland, which imported, that a declaration of indemnity and toleration, then preparing, was couched in such terms, that James could break through it when he pleased: Sentiments which alone made death painful to those who were dying for his cause.

William paid another compliment to the memory of Dundee: When he was advised to send a great body of troops to Scotland after the defeat of Killikranky, he said, "It was needless; the war ended with Dundee's life." The observation was just: For though the highland army descended into the low countries of Scotland under the generals Buchan and Cannon, and were engaged in several actions, yet these actions were indecisive, and, after two languid campaigns, a peace was concluded. The castle of Edinburgh had been surrendered some time before by the Duke of Gordon, whom the superiority of Dundee's genius was no longer at hand to command. But the Duke, in the manner of his surrender, preserved the dignity of his rank and of his ancestors. He said, "He had so much confidence in all the descendants of James I. that though he must insist on a pardon "for his garrison, he would stipulate no terms for himself." Upon the peace with the highlanders, the common men retired to their homes; but many of their officers were, in consequence of a capitulation, landed in France.

Although the fate which attended those officers in France falls beyond the period of time to which these Memoirs are confined, a digression may perhaps be pardoned, that describes adventures which were worthy of the happiest days of Athens or Sparta. The officers were 139 in number, all of honourable birth, attached to their chieftains and to each other, in their political principles only to blame, yet glorying in them. Upon their arrival in France, pensions were assigned them by the French King, but, upon the conclusion of the civil war, these pensions were withdrawn because the object no longer existed for which they had been given. Finding