nformity with his
request, was despatched to the Admiralty of Amsterdam. But this order,
in consequence of some misinformation, did not correctly describe the
situation of the ships. They were said to be in the Texel. They were in
the Vlie. The Admiralty of Amsterdam made this error a plea for doing
nothing; and, before the error could be rectified, the three ships had
sailed. [347]

The last hours which Argyle passed on the coast of Holland were hours of
great anxiety. Near him lay a Dutch man of war whose broadside would
in a moment have put an end to his expedition. Round his little fleet
a boat was rowing, in which were some persons with telescopes whom he
suspected to be spies. But no effectual step was taken for the purpose
of detaining him; and on the afternoon of the second of May he stood out
to sea before a favourable breeze.

The voyage was prosperous. On the sixth the Orkneys were in sight.
Argyle very unwisely anchored off Kirkwall, and allowed two of his
followers to go on shore there. The Bishop ordered them to be arrested.
The refugees proceeded to hold a long and animated debate on this
misadventure: for, from the beginning to the end of their expedition,
however languid and irresolute their conduct might be, they never
in debate wanted spirit or perseverance. Some were for an attack on
Kirkwall. Some were for proceeding without delay to Argyleshire. At last
the Earl seized some gentlemen who lived near the coast of the island,
and proposed to the Bishop an exchange of prisoners. The Bishop returned
no answer; and the fleet, after losing three days, sailed away.

This delay was full of danger. It was speedily known at Edinburgh that
the rebel squadron had touched at the Orkneys. Troops were instantly
put in motion. When the Earl reached his own province, he found that
preparations had been made to repel him. At Dunstaffnage he sent his
second son Charles on Shore to call the Campbells to arms. But Charles
returned with gloomy tidings. The herdsmen and fishermen were indeed
ready to rally round Mac Callum More; but, of the heads of the clan,
some were in confinement, and others had fled. Those gentlemen who
remained at their homes were either well affected to the government or
afraid of moving, and refused even to see the son of their chief. From
Dunstaffnage the small armament proceeded to Campbelltown, near the
southern extremity of the peninsula of Kintyre. Here the Earl published
a manifesto, draw