on and wounded one of the
soldiers.[46] "They followed the rogues," wrote Claverhouse to
Queensberry, "and advertised Colonel Buchan; but before he could come
up, our party had lost sight of them. Colonel Buchan is yet in pursuit
and I am just taking horse. I shall be revenged some time or other of
this unseasonable trouble these dogs give me. They might have let
Tuesday pass." This despatch was written from Paisley on the morning of
the 13th, while fresh horses were being saddled. By noon he was off
again, and for the next three days rode fast and far, leaving "no den,
no knowl, no moss, no hill unsearched." He could track his game from
Aird's Moss to within two miles of Cumnock town, and thence on towards
Cairntable. But there all traces of them had vanished.

"We could never hear more of them. I sent on Friday night
for my troop from Dumfries, and ordered them to march by the
Sanquhar to the Muirkirk, to the Ploughlands, and so to
Streven. I sent for Captain Strachan's troop from the
Glenkens, and ordered him to march to the old castle of
Cumloch, down to the Sorne, and through the country to
Kilbryde, leaving Mauchline and Newmills on his left, and
Loudon-hill on his right. By this means they scoured this
country, and secured the passages that way. Colonel Buchan
marched with the foot and the dragoons some miles on the
right of my troop, and I, with the Guards and my Lord Ross
and his troop, up by the [Shaire?]. We were at the head of
Douglas. We were round and over Cairntable. We were at
Greenock-head, Cummer-head, and through all the moors,
mosses, hills, glens, woods; and spread in small parties,
and ranged as if we had been at hunting, and down to
Blackwood, but could learn nothing of those rogues. So the
troops being extremely harassed with marching so much on
grounds never trod on before, I have sent them with Colonel
Buchan to rest at Dalmellington, till we see where these
rogues will start up. We examined all on oath, and offered
money, and threatened terribly, for intelligence, but we
could learn no more."[47]

The "rogues" were to start up soon and with a vengeance. On a day in
July (the date is not specified) a party of troopers were escorting
sixteen prisoners to Dumfries. They were Claverhouse's men, but their
captain was not with them. At Enterkin Hill, a narrow pass with a deep
preci