Charles Murray, who was remarkable for his graceful person and good
looks.
Lord Nairn and some of the subaltern officers were also thought very
fine men.
Indeed, the Highlanders generally produced a favourable impression on
the good folks of Kelso, who gave them a far warmer welcome than they
had accorded to their allies.
The junction between the confederate forces formed a curious and
interesting scene. When the brigadier first beheld the Northumbrian
detachment drawn up in the market-place, he was struck by the handsome
show made by both horses and men, but when he began to scrutinise them,
he quickly changed his opinion.
“Saul o' my body! this will never do!” he exclaimed to Lord Charles
Murray. “Those abalyiements are na fit for war. Saw ye ever before a
dragoon with a hunting-saddle on his horse's back, a toasting-fork by
his side, or a riding-whip in his hand? I trow not. They should get
basket-hilted broad swords like our ain, saddles wi' high pommels and
holsters, and as to those riding-whips, I should like to lay them across
the shoulders of the bearers.”
“The men certainly look better equipped for flight than for attack,”
replied Lord Charles. “But we must not judge them too harshly. They
may fight well in spite of their dress swords, and charge even with
race-horses.”
“Vera true,” replied the brigadier, laughing. “And here comes General
Forster.”
“By my faith! he looks more like an English fox-hunter than a soldier,”
remarked Lord Charles in an undertone. “I wonder how they came to choose
him.”
“They couldna help it,” replied the brigadier. “Lord Derwentwater was
the right man, yet being a Papist, he wouldn't do.”
Attended by Lord Charles Murray, Lord Nairn, Major Forbes, and Logie
Drummond, the brigadier stepped forward to meet General Forster, who
was closely followed by Lord Derwentwater and the other Northumbrian
officers.
At the same time Lord Kenmure came forward, and presented the two
commanders to each other.