his army shared his hopes. On the
afternoon of the 5th many had their broadswords and dirks sharpened, and
some partook of the Sacrament in the churches. They all felt that a
battle was imminent.

Next morning a council of war was held. Charles was eager to arrange for
an immediate advance on London. Success seemed to lie within his grasp.
Lord George Murray rose as spokesman for the rest. He urged immediate
retreat to Scotland! Two armies lay one on either hand, a third was
being collected to defend London. Against 30,000 men what could 5,000
avail? He had no faith in a French invasion, he was convinced that
nothing was to be looked for from the English Jacobites. 'Rather than go
back, I would I were twenty feet underground,' Charles cried in
passionate disappointment. He argued, he commanded, he implored; the
chiefs were inexorable, and it was decided that the retreat should begin
next morning before daybreak. This decision broke the Prince's heart and
quenched his spirit; never again did his buoyant courage put life into
his whole army. Next morning he rose sullen and enraged, and marched in
gloomy silence in the rear.

All the private soldiers and many of the officers believed that they
were being led against the Duke of Cumberland. When returning daylight
showed that they were retreating by the same road on which they had
marched so hopefully two days before, they were filled with grief and
rage. 'Would God,' writes a certain brave Macdonald, 'we had pushed on
though we had all been cut to pieces, when we were in a condition for
fighting and doing honour to our noble Prince and the glorious cause we
had taken in hand.' The distrust caused in the Prince's mind by Lord
George's action had, later, the most fatal effect.

[Illustration: 'Many had their broadswords and dirks sharpened']

VII

THE RETREAT

NEVER, perhaps, in any history was there a march more mournful than that
of the Highland army from Derby. These soldiers had never known defeat,
and yet there they were, in full retreat through a hostile country. So
secret and rapid were their movements that they had gained two full
days' march before the Duke of Cumberland had any certain news of their
retreat. Though he started at once in pursuit, mounting a body of
infantry on horses that they might keep up with the cavalry, and though
all were fresh and in good condition, it was not till the 18th that he
overtook the Prince's army in the wilds of Cumberla