Page:Tales of my landlord (Volume 4).djvu/24

 they had just received, and might be supposed reconverted to moderate measures. It was to be presumed, they said, that since the King had not entrusted the command of his forces upon the present occasion to any of their active oppressors, but, on the contrary, had employed a man of gentle temper, and of a disposition favourable to their cause, there must be some better intention entertained towards them than they had, yet experienced. They contended, that it was not only prudent but necessary to ascertain, from a communication with the Duke of Monmouth, whether he was not charged with some secret instructions in their favour. This could only be learned by dispatching an envoy to his army.

"And who will undertake the task?" said Burley, evading a proposal too reasonable to be openly resisted—"Who will go up to their camp, knowing that Grahame of Claverhouse hath sworn to hang up whomsoever we shall dispatch towards