Page:The Siege of London - Posteritas - 1885.djvu/56

 believing that the squadron sent in pursuit of the transports had taken them, and was now coming to attack the invaders, there was great joy in the Scotch camp, as well as in the towns of Assynt and Inver. This rejoicing, however, was speedily turned to sorrow when it was seen that the vessels were not English at all, but French, and these were soon engaged in landing troops. Springing to arms, the Scotch battalions rushed towards the beach, and opened a murderous fire on the boats laden with men. The French at once sent their artillery to commanding positions, and plied the Scotch with a deadly hail of grape-shot, compelling them to seek shelter, and immediately after they were charged by the infantry at the point of the bayonet, and compelled to retreat, leaving a heavy list of wounded and dead behind them. The general of the 1st Division of the enemy was ordered to pursue with his whole strength, and thus commenced the advance of the French into the country.

In the meantime the transports disembarked three divisions of infantry of the line, one of Zouaves, and one of cavalry, with eight battalions of field artillery and two hundred baggage-wagons, which had been specially constructed for mountain roads. A large stock of horses were also landed. The prisoners and the wounded were then put on board the transports, which immediately sailed away.

The invaders were now amply furnished with stores of every description, and immense quantities of ammunition, and orders were issued to the commissariat to emit requisitions for food and forage wherever they could be procured on the line of march, without any further offer of payment, the country now being regarded as under process of conquest The first division, which had been sent in pursuit of the retreating battalions of the Scotch, came up with them near Dingwall, on the afternoon of the second day. A stand was here made, and as the French were about, to open fire, they were unexpectedly fired upon with great vigour by the townspeople who had ensconced themselves behind the rocks and bushes. French skirmishers were at once sent out to dislodge the secreted foe, who was so numerous that the advance of the column was delayed,