them, and put
the rest to flight.

About this time, the Lord began to look upon the affliction of his
people. For Montrose, having defeated the covenanters at five or six
different times, the committee of estates began to bethink themselves,
and for that end saw cause to recall general Leslie, with 4000 foot and
1000 dragoons, from England. To oppose him Montrose marched southward,
but was shamefully routed by Leslie at Philiphaugh upon the 13th of
Sept. Many of his forces were killed and taken prisoners, and he himself
escaped with much difficulty[204]. After which Mr. William Guthrie and
captain Paton returned home again to Fenwick.

Thus matters went on till the year 1648, that there arose two factions
in Scotland, which were headed by duke Hamilton and the marquis of
Argyle. The one party aimed at bringing down the king to Scotland; but
the other opposed the same. However, the levies went on, whereby duke
Hamilton, with a potent army, marched to England. In the meanwhile
major-general Middleton came upon a certain handful of the covenanters,
assembled at the celebration of the Lord's supper at Mauchlin, a small
village in the shire of Ayr. At which place were Messrs. William Ardair,
William Guthrie and John Nevay ministers, and the earl of Loudon, who
solicited Middleton to let the people dismiss in a peaceable manner;
which he promised to do: but, in a most perfidious way, he fell upon
them on the Monday after; which occasioned some bloodshed on both
sides, for captain Paton (being still aware of these malignants
notwithstanding all their fair promises) caused his people from Fenwick
to take arms with them, which accordingly they did; whereby they only
made resistance.--Yea it is said, that the captain that day killed
eighteen of the enemy with his own hand.

But duke Hamilton and his army being defeated, and he himself afterward
beheaded, the English pursuing the victory, Cromwel and his men entered
Scotland, by which means the engagers were not only made to yield, but
quite dissipated. Whereupon some of the stragglers came west plundering,
and took up their residence for some time in the muirs of Loudon,
Egletham and Fenwick, which made the captain again bestir himself; and
taking a party of Fenwick men he went in quest of them; and found some
of them at a certain house in that parish called Lochgoin, and there
gave them such a fright (though without any bloodshed) as made them give
their promise never to mol