Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series - 1819.djvu/310

300 who is to raise and sustain the banner under which we are invited to rise and muster ourselves? Will it be expected that we should risque our children, and the flower of our kinsmen, ere we know to whose guidance they are intrusted? This were leading those to slaughter, whom, by the laws of God and man, it is our duty to protect. Where is the royal commission, under which the lieges are to be convocated in arms? Simple and rude as we may be deemed, we know something of the established rules of war as well as of the laws of our country; nor will we arm ourselves against the general peace, unless by the express commands of the King, and under a leader fit to command such men as are here assembled."

"Where would you find such a leader," said another Chief, starting up, "saving the representative of the Lords of the Isles, entitled by birth and hereditary descent to lead forth the array of every clan of the Highlands; and where is that dignity lodged, save in the house of Vich Alister More?"