step was a yard nearer
London. He neither asked, expected, nor desired any aid, except that
of the clans, to place the Stuarts once more on the throne; and when by
chance a few adherents joined the standard, he always considered them in
the light of new claimants upon the favours of the future monarch, who,
he concluded, must therefore subtract for their gratification so much of
the bounty which ought to be shared among his Highland followers.

Edward's views were very different. He could not but observe, that in
those towns in which they proclaimed James the Third, 'no man cried, God
bless him.' The mob stared and listened, heartless, stupefied, and dull,
but gave few signs even of that boisterous spirit which induces them
to shout upon all occasions, for the mere exercise of their most sweet
voices. The Jacobites had been taught to believe that the north-western
counties abounded with wealthy squires and hardy yeomen, devoted to the
cause of the White Rose. But of the wealthier Tories they saw little.
Some fled from their houses, some feigned themselves sick, some
surrendered themselves to the Government as suspected persons. Of such
as remained, the ignorant gazed with astonishment, mixed with horror and
aversion, at the wild appearance, unknown language, and singular garb,
of the Scottish clans. And to the more prudent, their scanty numbers,
apparent deficiency in discipline; and poverty of equipment, seemed
certain tokens of the calamitous termination of their rash undertaking.
Thus the few who joined them were such as bigotry of political principle
blinded to consequences, or whose broken fortunes induced them to hazard
all on a risk so desperate.

The Baron of Bradwardine being asked what he thought of these recruits,
took a long pinch of snuff, and answered drily, 'that he could not but
have an excellent opinion of them, since they resembled precisely the
followers who attached themselves to the good King David at the cave of
Adullam; VIDELICET, every one that was in distress, and every one that
was in debt, and every one that was discontented, which the Vulgate
renders bitter of soul; and doubtless,' he said 'they will prove mighty
men of their hands, and there is much need that they should, for I have
seen many a sour look cast upon us.'

But none of these considerations moved Fergus. He admired the luxuriant
beauty of the country, and the situation of many of the seats which they
passed. 'Is Waverley-Honour