But Queensberry and his crew had to nurse their grudge in secret. Much
as the knowledge may have chafed them, they knew well that Claverhouse
was the one man on whom they could depend for wise counsel and prompt
action in emergency. A few weeks before this matter of the tenants he
had received an urgent despatch from Edinburgh, signed by "his
affectionate friends and servants" of the Council, authorising him to
take what steps he thought best for disposing the troops. Argyle was on
the sea, and the Campbells were mustering fast to their chief's call.
Measures had already been taken in the northern shires. Athole had been
appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Argyleshire, and held Inverary with a large
force of his Highlanders. The Gordons, under their new-made Duke, were
guarding the sea-board of Invernessshire. Glasgow was occupied by a
strong body of militia. Ships of war watched the Firth of Clyde. To keep
the Western Lowlands and the Border quiet was Claverhouse's charge. It
is unnecessary to remind my readers what followed. Within little more
than a month from his landing in Scotland Argyle stood upon the scaffold
in Edinburgh; and a fortnight later Monmouth closed his short unhappy
life on Tower Hill.
In this same despatch Claverhouse was told that the King had raised him
to be a brigadier of both horse and foot, that James Douglas had
received the same promotion, and that the latter's commission bore
priority of date.
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