ord and knocking them
down. However, I am glad I have received my Lord Dumbarton's
orders anent your Grace's tenants, which I shall most
punctually obey; though, I may say, they were safe as any in
Scotland before."[69]

The previous letter here referred to has been lost; but it is probable
that the complaint originated in Claverhouse's summons to these
heritors, or small proprietors, to take arms in the King's service, as
they were bound to do. Men will mostly follow their master's lead. The
Treasurer's tenants knew well, we may be sure, how little love their
master bore for the imperious soldier, and were no doubt somewhat saucy
in their remonstrances; and sauciness Claverhouse would not brook from
any man alive, whatever his quality.

But Queensberry and his crew had to nurse their grudge in secret. Much
as the knowledge may have chafed them, they knew well that Claverhouse
was the one man on whom they could depend for wise counsel and prompt
action in emergency. A few weeks before this matter of the tenants he
had received an urgent despatch from Edinburgh, signed by "his
affectionate friends and servants" of the Council, authorising him to
take what steps he thought best for disposing the troops. Argyle was on
the sea, and the Campbells were mustering fast to their chief's call.
Measures had already been taken in the northern shires. Athole had been
appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Argyleshire, and held Inverary with a large
force of his Highlanders. The Gordons, under their new-made Duke, were
guarding the sea-board of Invernessshire. Glasgow was occupied by a
strong body of militia. Ships of war watched the Firth of Clyde. To keep
the Western Lowlands and the Border quiet was Claverhouse's charge. It
is unnecessary to remind my readers what followed. Within little more
than a month from his landing in Scotland Argyle stood upon the scaffold
in Edinburgh; and a fortnight later Monmouth closed his short unhappy
life on Tower Hill.

In this same despatch Claverhouse was told that the King had raised him
to be a brigadier of both horse and foot, that James Douglas had
received the same promotion, and that the latter's commission bore
priority of date. He wisely took no notice of this slight,--for,
comparing the weight of his services to the Government with the services
of Douglas, a slight it undoubtedly was, and was meant to be. He knew
that it did not come from the King, and he was much too prude