ssination is unworthy of
any soldier, and a work of the devil, of which I humbly trust I am
incapable, and also my king. Give this letter"--when he had written
and sealed it--"to the messenger, Major Lovel, and see that he has a
safe conduct through our army, and past our outposts." Lovel saluted
and left the room, but outside he laughed, and said to himself, "Very
likely it's true all the same, and a quick and useful way of ending
the war. When Claverhouse dies the rebellion dies, too, and there's a
text somewhere which runs like this, 'It is expedient that one man
should die than all the people.' I wonder who those fellows are, and
if they'll manage it, and what they're going to get. They have the
devil's luck in this affair, for, of course, MacKay would be told
nothing about it; he's the piousest officer in the English army."

Dundee received MacKay's letter during the long wait before the
battle, and this is what he read:

_To My Lord Viscount Dundee, Commanding the forces raised in the
interest of James Stuart._

MY LORD: It gives me satisfaction that altho' words once passed
between us, and there be a far greater difference to-day, you have
not believed that I was art and part in so base a work as
assassination, and I hereby on my word of honor as an officer, and
as a Christian, declare that I know nothing of the two men who are
under arrest in your camp. So far as I am concerned their blood
should not be shed, nor any evil befall them.

Before this letter reaches your hand we shall be arrayed against
one another in order of battle, and though arms be my profession,
I am filled with sorrow as I think that the conflict to-day will
be between men of the same nation, and sometimes of the same
family, for it seemeth to me as if brother will be slaying
brother.

I fear that it is too late to avert battle and I have no authority
to offer any terms of settlement to you and those that are with
you. Unto God belongs the issue, and in His hands I leave it. We
are divided by faith, and now also by loyalty, but if any evil
befel your person I pray you to believe that it would give me no
satisfaction, and I beg that ye be not angry with me nor regard me
with contempt if I send you as I now do the prayer which, as a
believer in our common Lord I have drawn up for the use of our
army. It may be the last communication that shall pass between
us.

I have the honor to b