2nd Duke of Gordon and the part he played at the battle of Sheriffmuir

18
in it but such leaders, they had ignorant folks
enough amongst themselves. I owned to him in-
genouslie, that I did not understand the horse
service, for I had served amongst the foot, and
that iff I was amongst them now, it was not out
of choice, but because I did not know how to
dispose of myself otherwise, for I could not pro-
pose to be of any use amongst the Highlandmen,
whose language, I did not understand, or, if I
did, who were so savage that it was impossible
for any man to bring them to discipline; and
haveing spoke so in the beginning to Strathmore,
who offered to make me his lieutennant-collonell
of Low-Countrie Foot, I was within an ace of
accepting 1 of it, and leaving the more honourable
command to take that in which I thought I could
be more serviceable to my countrie; but, finding
that everie bodie was drauing to himself, and
the worthlesest formed the greatest pretensions,
it being then their harvest, I had continued where
my lot had throun me, least such should take ad-
vantage of it."
At last, Huntlie told me, he'd take no denyell,
and the gentlemen of his tuo squadrons would
not be satisfied if I was not made a brigadier, for
they were scandalised at the niakeing those
superior officers who were not capable to con**
maud ten men, and keep those under who knew
service. Then, I said, I had put on a stronge re-
solution not to be a brigadier, or further advanced,
nor could he think that if any busieness hap-
pened i could quit my Fife friends. He said he'd
make it so that his friends and mine should be
always together, and my consenting to it on that
foot would be ane obligation done him, and. that
I must goe with him next day to Mar, which I
at last consented to, rather than disoblidge him.
He called me next morning, and we went together
to Mar; and he told him that his friends and he
would have Mr Sinclair to command them, and
no other on any out command, or at any time ;
and since he had a mind to put collonells on his
tuo squadrons, for that reason it was proper I
should be made a brigadier, since I was to have
within a very few of the one-half of the horse of
the armie under my command. Mar came up to
me with a forc'd smile, Not I: no more than that
of collonell, which was sent me. but the Marquise
of Huntly had been pressing me to it, since I was
to command his people, who were to have col-
lonells of their oun over each squadron, to put
them on a foot with the others, and he thought
that little would make them more subordinate;
but, <for my part, I did not court it. Mar said,
Had he knoun I had desir'd it, he had done it
ere room.
Sinclair's command was no sinecure, for he
says : —