Violet Jacob > Flemington

THE GUNS OF MONTROSE
157
on their possession of this island. As soon as
they should land on it, they were to entrench
the two guns, one on its south-eastern side,
as near to the Venture as possible, and the
other on its northern shore, facing the quays. By
this means the small party would command, not
only the ship, but the whole breadth of the river
and its landing-places, and would be able to stop
communication between Captain Hall and the
town. Heavy undergrowth covered a fair portion
of Inchbrayock, and the only buildings upon it—
if buildings they could be called—were the walls
of an old graveyard and the stones and crosses
they encircled. Though the island lay at a con¬
venient part of the strait, no bridge connected it
with Montrose, and those who wished to cross the
Esk at that point were obliged to use the ferry.
The channel dividing its southern shore from the
mainland being comparatively narrow, a row of
gigantic stepping-stones carried wayfarers dry-
shod across its bed, for at low tide there was a
mere streak of water curling serpent-wise through
the mud.
When the guns were got safely into position
on the island it was decided that Ferrier was to
return to the barque and take the remaining four-
pounders with all despatch to a piece of rising
ground called Dial Hill, that overlooked the mass
of shiping opposite Ferryden.
He did not expect to meet with much opposi¬
tion, should news of his action be carried to the