ummoned without the king's authority, the former exclaimed, that their
intentions were now visible, and that if some unexpected blow were not
struck to dissipate them, they would arm the whole nation against the
king; the latter maintained the possibility of outvoting the disaffected
party, and securing by peaceful means the allegiance of the kingdom.[*]
Unhappily for the royal cause, Hamilton's representations met with
more credit from the king and queen than those of Montrose; and the
Covenanters were allowed, without interruption, to proceed in all their
hostile measures. Montrose then hastened to Oxford where his invectives
against Hamilton's treachery, concurring with the general prepossession,
and supported by the unfortunate event of his counsels, were entertained
with universal probation. Influenced by the clamor of his party, more
than his own suspicions, Charles, as soon as Hamilton appeared, sent him
prisoner to Pendennis Castle, in Cornwall. His brother Laneric, who was
also put under confinement found means to make his escape, and to fly
into Scotland.

The king's ears were now open to Montrose's counsels, who proposed none
but the boldest and most daring, agreeably to the desperate state of the
royal cause in Scotland. Though the whole nation was subjected by the
Covenanters, though great armies were kept on foot by them, and every
place guarded by a vigilant administration, he undertook, by his own
credit, and that of the few friends who remained to the king, to raise
such commotions as would soon oblige the malecontents to recall
those forces which had so sensibly thrown the balance in favor of the
parliament.[**] Not discouraged with the defeat at Marston Moor, which
rendered it impossible for him to draw any succor from England, he was
content to stipulate with the earl of Antrim, a nobleman of Ireland,
for some supply of men from that country. And he himself changing his
disguises, and passing through many dangers, arrived in Scotland; where
he lay concealed in the borders of the Highlands, and secretly prepared
the minds of his partisans for attempting some great enterprise.[***]

* Clarendon, vol. iii. p. 380, 381. Rush. vol. vi. p. 980.
Wishart, cap. 2.

** Wishart, cap. 3.

*** Clarendon, vol. v. p. 618. Rush. vol. vi. p, 982.
Wishart, cap. 4

No sooner were the Irish landed, though not exceeding eleven hundred
foot, very ill armed, than Montrose declared himself, and