at depended so much upon incidents, that my very hopes could not
reach so far as we performed. Secrecy and expedition was our main
point, once we resolved upon the thing, which was not till I met
Clunie and Sheen in Badenoch. If the greatest fatigues, dangers, and
hard duties deserve approbation, I think some thanks are due to us,
and from none more than yourself; for my own part, I was once
seventy hours without three of sleep; but we undergo all hardships
for the good of common cause. You will ever find me, dear brother,
your most affectionate brother and faithful servant,

"GEORGE MURRAY."

"I am so ill supported with men, money, and every thing else, our
people here have no pay, that after all our endeavours, I'm afraid
we must abandon this country without the Castle."

This letter brought the following characteristic reply. It is dated from
Inverness, whither the Marquis had repaired.[187]

"Brother George.

"This evening I had yours of yesterday's date. As to any difference
betwixt you and I, without prejudice to passed expedition and
secrecy mentioned, at meeting it must be discussed the best way we
can, since lately behaving according to dutiful sentiments, nobody
is more satisfied than I am of your indefatigable activity for the
public service. Had you sent me your letters to the Secretary, who I
am very sorry to say is at Elgin dangerously ill, or any other of
the Ministry to whom expresses were addressed, I should have
directly endeavoured getting the most satisfactory answers could be
sent your pressing reale demands, which are not well understood if
much regarded by everybody here; I am informed by Mr. Hay and
Cruben, who were just now with me, that all the men who were with
you have been fully paid till Wednesday last; and that with some
necessary foresight and pains, you might have had a good deal of
provisions from below the Pass, whilst that expedient was
practicable; since you might have naturally known that money cannot
be soon sent from hence, but on an absolute necessity; you know that
meal can be still brought you from Kiliwhimen. With that I wrote to
you the twenty-sixth, in case the enemy could not be otherwise
forced out of my house, I gave Sir Thomas Sheridan an account to be
sent to you of a secret passage in