|The Northumbrians reached their destination first, and as the others
did not arrive, they rode back to see what had happened to them and
found the South Country Scots drawn up on the road about two miles
from the town, and waiting for the Highlanders, who, in their turn, had
halted to receive General Carpenter--believing he was in pursuit. These
false alarms caused some delay, but eventually the whole force reached
Jedburgh.
Next day another council of war was held, and the same dissension
prevailed as before, threatening to end in a rupture among the chiefs.
Previously to the meeting Lord Wintoun, who had had a private conference
with Mackintosh, was persuaded that the brigadier would support him.
But he was mistaken--the old warrior would not desert the Northumbrians,
though it was evident he himself was unwilling to quit Scotland.
While they were still engaged in angry and fruitless discussion, Captain
Gordon returned.
“What news do you bring us, sir?” demanded Lord Kenmure. “Has General
Carpenter crossed the Border?”
“He has, my lord,” replied Captain Gordon; “and the greater part of his
force is quartered at the Yetholms within eight miles of this place.
Troops are cantoned at Hounham, Mendrum, Town-Yetholm, Kirk-Yetholm,
and Morbattle, as I myself have ascertained. I ventured so near them at
Morbattle, that I was discovered and pursued by a dozen of Churchill's
dragoons, within two miles of Jedburgh, when they gave up the chase. No
doubt they believed we were still at Kelso, but they must now have found
out their mistake.”
“Captain Gordon,” said Mackintosh, “so far as you can judge, what is the
condition of the enemy?”
“Their horses are jaded, or I should not have escaped,” replied Gordon,
“and I am certain the foot, of whom there must be five or six hundred,
are fatigued with their long march. I therefore feel convinced there
will be no general attack to-day, and I think we might surprise them.”
“You hear what Captain Gordon says, my lord?” cried Mackintosh, turning
to Lord Kenmure. “From the observations he has just made he is of
opinion we may surprise the enemy.”
“General Carpenter himself is at Kirk-Yetholm,” remarked Captain Gordon.
“So much the better,” said the brigadier. “Having taken up a position
there, he will make no further advance to-day. Our whole force is in
marching order. Let us make the attack at once. By using the utmost
expedition we shall take him unprepared.”
“That is certain,” said Captain Gordon; “and I do not for a moment doubt
that the attack will be successful.”
“I hope the plan meets with your lordship's approval?” said Lord
Derwentwater to Kenmure.
The chief commander, however, made no direct answer, but turning to the
Northumbrian leader, observed:
“What says General Forster?”
“'Tis a bold step, and requires consideration,” replied the other.
“The blow must be struck at once, or not at all,” said Mackintosh.
“While we are deliberating the chance will be lost.”
“We have not sufficient horse,” rejoined Forster.
“We have enow for our purpose,” said Lord Derwentwater. “My lord, in the
king's name, I ask you to make the attack.”
“Ha! this sounds like a command,” cried Lord Kenmure, angrily. “Your own
general hesitates--if he will go on, I will.”
“For Heaven's sake come to a speedy decision!” said the earl to Forster.
“Every minute is precious. There is no risk.”
“I don't know that,” replied Forster. “I won't run headlong into
a danger that can be avoided. We may find General Carpenter better
prepared for us than we expect. His dragoons are far more numerous than
our cavalry.”
“But our horses are fresh, general,” observed Captain Gordon. “I repeat
my opinion that a prompt attack would be successful.”
“I won't hazard it,” said Lord Kenmure.
“Then your lordship refuses to lead us to certain victory,” said Lord
Derwentwater.
Lord Kenmure shrugged his shoulders.
“I have given you my decision, and I shall adhere to it.”
Lord Derwentwater could not repress an exclamation of rage.
Mackintosh looked equally angry, but felt it was useless to interfere.
“We shall be better prepared on some future day,” observed Forster.
“Never!” exclaimed the brigadier, contemptuously. “Never shall we be
better prepared than now! Never shall we have the enemy at greater
advantage!''
“At all events, let us stay where we are,” said Lord Derwentwater.
“General Carpenter will think we are retreating if we march to Hawick.”
“Nor will he be far wide of the truth if he does think so,” said
Mackintosh.
But these expressions of disapproval were entirely unheeded, and
the march to Hawick took place, greatly to the annoyance of Lord
Derwentwater.
Determined to reconnoitre the enemy, his lordship requested Captain
Gordon to accompany him, and set off with a small party of horse towards
the Yetholms.
Nothing occurred to indicate that the enemy were on the move till he
came within a couple of miles of Kirk-Yetholm, when from the brow of a
hill he distinguished their vanguard, and at once comprehended that a
part of the force, if not the whole, must be marching to Kelso.
Satisfied with what he had seen, and beginning to be of opinion
that General Carpenter would not have been so easily surprised as he
imagined, he turned back, and riding quickly, overtook the insurgent
army before it reached Hawick.
It afterwards appeared that the earl had narrowly escaped capture,
and that he and his companions were indebted for their escape to the
swiftness of their horses. Had he descended the hill whence he descried
the enemy, he must have been taken prisoner.