Series 2 > Origins of the 'Forty-five

176
JOHN DANIEL’S PROGRESS
some distance on the mountains, we drew up in order of
battle, and stood so for some time, and would have fought
them : but perceiving it was a false alarm, we continued on
our route to Derby, where we arrived somewhat late and
fatigued. But two days’ repose sufficiently refreshed us.
Derby is a large and handsome town. The heads of
it were much terrified at our entrance, many of them
having made large subscriptions to Government; and
therefore had quitted their houses with the utmost
precipitation. It fell to my lot to be quartered in one
of them, vizt., one Mr. Chambers. Coming in with my
billet, I asked if I could lodge there. The Steward
immediately replied that I could—adding ‘ And any
thing we can do for you, shall be done : only pity us in
our situation, which is most deplorable.’ At this wonder¬
ing much what he meant, I told him to be of good courage
—that neither I nor any of us were come to hurt him
or any one. Having thus abated the horrid notion they
had of us, which was only capable of being conceived
too hard for expression, being so very strange ; he con¬
ducted me to the Housekeeper, who was also in tears.
She was somewhat seized with horror at the sight, though
my countenance was none of the roughest: but soon
collected herself and made the same answer with the
utmost feminine tenderness, putting themselves and the
whole house under my mercy. I truly was much sur¬
prised, for anything of this kind was quite new to me :
however, after pulling off my riding-coat and boots she
conducted me into a fine room ; where, at entering, I
perceived a number of jewels and watches lying confusedly
up and down, and many things else in the utmost con¬
fusion. I demanded, to whom they belonged, and what
was the reason of their being so carelessly laid up. The
housekeeper then began to tell me the whole affair—‘ Sir,’
said she, ‘ Mr. Chambers, the master of this house, no
enemy to you, has retired with his lady and family into
the country.’ * Why so ? ’ said I. ‘ Not conscious,’
replied she, ‘ of any thing particular against you, but out
of fear of what the Highlanders might do against him.’