Series 1 > Chronicles of the Frasers

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fortun of Montross still prevailed. The nobility now every-
quher assist him, the towns and cities declare for him, so that
the kingdom which afforded men and assistance for the invasion
of another kingdom was not now able to defend itselfe. Mon¬
tross, being seased of all places of strength even as farr as
Edinbrugh, where the royall prisoners were delivered to him,
going forward to England, at Philipshaugh was surprised by
David Lesly, who fell upon him before he could retreat; but
Montross resolutly charged through, brought the flying re-
maines of his army safe into the Highlands, quher he began
new levies. Besieged Invernes in May 1646 yeares. But
now the fortun of the King failing everywhere, he was that
August ordered by the King, then in the Scots custody, to
disband and depart the kingdom within a month, as it was Montross
articld betuixt the King and the Covenanters, and that they band and de-
should find him shipping with provision and all things neces_ kfngdoni^the
sary. But they, seekeing to circumvent him, sent him no ship
for his transportation untill the last day allowed for his stay;
the ship itselfe ill victualled and worse rigged. So that, when
Montross shewed himselfe ready to depart, the master of the
ship told him that he must have some dayes allowed him to
pitch and rig his ship before he durst venter himselfe to the
wind and waves. Moreover, there lay great English ships of
war every day in sight about the mouth of the River Esk,
by which he was to pass, attending there in favour of the
Covenanters, for their much desired prey and booty, that by
no meanes he might escape their hands.
Montross, now smelling out their designs, had sent some
beforehand to search diligently the havens in the North, who
by good fortun in the haven of Stanhiv found out a small
bark of Bargen in Norway, the master whereof was soon agreed
with ; thither sent Montross severall of his friends whom he
knew could not be safe for never so short a wheil in that
country; and they, on the 3 of September 1646, haveing a
good wind, put forth to sea for Norway; and that same even¬
ing Montross himselfe, accompanied onely with one James
Wood, a worthy preacher, by a small cockboat got into a bark Montross sailes
which lay at anchor without the haven off' Montross; and, over to France'
being clad in a course suit, the Lord and patron passed for