They might have let
Tuesday pass." This despatch was written from Paisley on the morning of
the 13th, while fresh horses were being saddled. By noon he was off
again, and for the next three days rode fast and far, leaving "no den,
no knowl, no moss, no hill unsearched." He could track his game from
Aird's Moss to within two miles of Cumnock town, and thence on towards
Cairntable. But there all traces of them had vanished.
"We could never hear more of them. I sent on Friday night
for my troop from Dumfries, and ordered them to march by the
Sanquhar to the Muirkirk, to the Ploughlands, and so to
Streven. I sent for Captain Strachan's troop from the
Glenkens, and ordered him to march to the old castle of
Cumloch, down to the Sorne, and through the country to
Kilbryde, leaving Mauchline and Newmills on his left, and
Loudon-hill on his right. By this means they scoured this
country, and secured the passages that way. Colonel Buchan
marched with the foot and the dragoons some miles on the
right of my troop, and I, with the Guards and my Lord Ross
and his troop, up by the [Shaire?]. We were at the head of
Douglas. We were round and over Cairntable. We were at
Greenock-head, Cummer-head, and through all the moors,
mosses, hills, glens, woods; and spread in small parties,
and ranged as if we had been at hunting, and down to
Blackwood, but could learn nothing of those rogues.
Pages:
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136