In a great measure, perhaps,' answered Redgauntlet; 'but the policy
which raised the Highland regiments has provided for that. We have
already friends in these corps; nor can we doubt for a moment what their
conduct will be when the white cockade is once more mounted. The rest
of the standing army has been greatly reduced since the peace; and we
reckon confidently on our standard being joined by thousands of the
disbanded troops.'

'Alas!' said Darsie, 'and is it upon such vague hopes as these, the
inconstant humour of a crowd or of a disbanded soldiery, that men of
honour are invited to risk their families, their property, their life?'

'Men of honour, boy,' said Redgauntlet, his eyes glancing with
impatience, 'set life, property, family, and all at stake, when that
honour commands it! We are not now weaker than when seven men, landing
in the wilds of Moidart, shook the throne of the usurper till it
tottered--won two pitched fields, besides overrunning one kingdom and
the half of another, and, but for treachery, would have achieved what
their venturous successors are now to attempt in their turn.'

'And will such an attempt be made in serious earnest?' said Darsie.
'Excuse me, my uncle, if I can scarce believe a fact so extraordinary.
Will there really be found men of rank and consequence sufficient to
renew the adventure of 1745?'

'I will not give you my confidence by halves, Sir Arthur,' replied his
uncle--'Look at that scroll--what say you to these names?--Are they not
the flower of the western shires--of Wales of Scotland?'

'The paper contains indeed the names of many that are great and noble,'
replied Darsie, after perusing it; 'but'--

'But what?' asked his uncle, impatiently; 'do you doubt the ability of
those nobles and gentlemen to furnish the aid in men and money at which
they are rated?'

'Not their ability certainly,' said Darsie, 'for of that I am no
competent judge; but I see in this scroll the name of Sir Arthur Darsie
Redgauntlet of that Ilk, rated at a hundred men and upwards--I certainly
am ignorant how he is to redeem that pledge.'

'I will be responsible for the men,' replied Hugh Redgauntlet.

'But, my dear uncle,' added Darsie, 'I hope for your sake that the other
individuals whose names are here written, have had more acquaintance
with your plan than I have been indulged with.'

'For thee and thine I can be myself responsible,' said Redgauntlet; 'for
if thou hast not the courage to h