own the most rugged hillsides with the swiftness and
surefootedness of deer.

While still some miles distant, Cope learned that the Highlanders were
already in possession of Corryarack. The rumour was premature, but it
thoroughly alarmed the English general. He dared not attempt the ascent;
to return south was against his orders. A council of war, hastily
summoned, gave him the advice he wished for, and on the 28th the army
had turned aside and was in full retreat on Inverness.

Meanwhile, the Prince's army was pressing forward to meet Cope. The
swiftest-footed soldiers that ever took the field, the Highlanders were
also the least heavily-weighted. A bag of oatmeal on his back supplied
each man's need, Charles himself burned his baggage and marched at the
head of his men as light of foot and as stout of heart as the best of
them. On the morning of the 27th they were to ascend Corryarack. The
Prince was in the highest spirits. As he laced his Highland brogues he
cried, 'Before I take these off I shall have fought with Mr. Cope!'
Breathless the Highland army reached the top of the hill; they had
gained _that_ point of vantage. Eagerly they looked down the zigzags on
the further side; to their amazement not a man was to be seen, their
road lay open before them! When they learned from deserters the course
Cope's army had taken, they were as much disappointed as triumphant.

A body of Highlanders was despatched to try and take the barracks at
Ruthven, where twelve soldiers, under a certain Sergeant Molloy, held
the fort for the Government. This man showed a spirit very different
from that of his superior officer's. This is his own straightforward
account of the attack and repulse:

'Noble General,--They summoned me to surrender,
but I told him I was too old a soldier to part
with so strong a place without bloody noses. They
offered me honourable terms of marching out bag
and baggage, which I refused. They threatened to
hang me and my party. I said I would take my
chance. They set fire to the sally-port which I
extinguished; and failing therein, went off asking
leave to take their dead man, which I granted.'

Honour to Molloy, whatever the colour of his cockade!

Though unsuccessful at Ruthven, some members of this party, before
rejoining the Prince's army at Dalwhinnie, made an important capture.
Macpherson of Cluny was one of th