, Breadalbane, and the
other great lords of the east and south Highlands, would not bid their
vassals arm for either side. Athole had indeed once more professed
allegiance to the new order, but while affairs were still in an
uncertain state he would not commit himself to any decisive action. It
was clear to Mackay that the name of William was no name to charm with
in Scotland, and that the most he could hope to effect was to prevent a
general rising of the clans for James. The sagacious Tarbat had already
pointed out to him how this might be done. Five thousand pounds, he
said, would be ample to satisfy all Argyle's claims upon the chiefs who
owed him vassalage. If these claims were satisfied, and the clans
assured that under William they would secure the freedom they had hoped
for from James, though it might not be possible to persuade them to
fight for the former, not a single claymore would follow Dundee to the
field for the latter. William was now induced to try the experiment. But
by a blunder so extraordinary as to suggest treachery somewhere, the
agent entrusted to manage the affair was himself a Campbell. The chiefs
naturally refused to listen to such a messenger, and treated all
subsequent overtures with a contemptuous refusal or a still more
contemptuous silence. It is not certain that any money was actually
expended; but if so, it is very certain that not a penny of it went to
any Cameron or Macdonald.

Dundee had now reached Lochaber, where he was cordially welcomed by
Lochiel, and lodged in a building close to the chief's own house, a rude
structure of pine-wood, but in his men's eyes a magnificent palace. The
clans had proved true to their tryst. Every Cameron who could wield a
broadsword was there. From the wild peaks of Corryarrick and Glen Garry,
from the dark passes of Glencoe and the storm-beaten islands of the
western seas, the men of Macdonald came trooping in. Sir John of Duart
brought a strong gathering of Macleans from Mull, promising that more of
the name were on the road. Young Stewart of Appin had led his little
band from the shores of Loch Finnhe. The Macnaghtens were there from the
very heart of the great enemy's country, where the hated towers of
Inverary cast their shadow on the waters of Loch Fyne. Fraser of Foyers
and Grant of Urquhart, disregarding the action of their respective
chiefs, each brought a small following of his own vassals.

It is impossible to calculate the exact force wh