or at your house: which made him ask
what was the matter, and if his family was all well? He answered, Yes;
but, says he, there is a stranger, _viz._ Argyle, and your wife longs to
see you, and we have been for two days sending about the country to find
you.

After meeting and some converse, with his wife's consent, (who was now
near her time) he undertook to do his best for bringing the earl safe to
London, and so he took Argyle under the name of Mr. Hope along with him
to Midburn Grange, where he was to preach that Sabbath; and on Monday,
he took him to a friend's house between Newcastle and Newburn, where he
left Argyle and went to Newcastle, and bought three horses for him at
his own expence, the earl being then scarce of money: after which they
came to Leeds, and then to Roderam; and took up there one night; from
thence they set off, and at last arrived safe at London.

After staying some time in London, Argyle set off to join with Monmouth
in Holland, and Mr. Vetch returned to his house in Stanton-hall. But the
thing breaking out, he narrowly escaped being taken; and after lurking
sometimes in one place, and sometimes in another, he was obliged to go
over secretly to Holland, where he met with old friends and
acquaintances, Monmouth, Argyle, earl of Melvil, Polwart, Torwoodlee,
and James Stuart. Monmouth and Argyle, having agreed to make a descent
at one time, the one to England, and the other to Scotland, several of
their friends were sent over _incognito_, to warn their friends in both
kingdoms to make ready. It was Mr. Vetch's part, to give Northumberland
and the Scots borders notice. Mr. Vetch had a verbal commission from
Argyle to procure money for buying arms, drums, colours, horses, and
taking on men, especially Oliverian officers: somewhat of all which he
did. But the matter taking air, he was obliged to hide himself near
Reidsdale head, even from his very friends, till the season of appearing
came, where he narrowly escaped being taken, while hid on Carter-hill
covered with a turff of heather, col. Strothers and Meldrum's troop
being out in quest of him and others.

But this enterprize failing, Argyle being defeated and taken in
Scotland, and Monmouth in England, the design came to nothing, only Mr.
Vetch, besides his time, trouble (wherein he was in many dangers) lost
about 120 l. ster. and its interest; and Argyle's son, the late duke,
gave him repeated promises to reimburse him, yet never was there a