Countrey beasts without shooes, and their Foot poore
starven fellows, many of them having no other Arms then
cudgels, and those that have Arms have no Ammunition,
and they are full of fears, so that had we but six hundred
horse and foot at this time, we might in all probability put
them to their best shifts to escape our hands. They use this
countrey some what hardly, and especially since Lorns departure.
And that same night the difference was between
them, Glencairne in a despitefull manner, removed his
quarters to Ballathrone, where the Bailiffes interest lies,
and I heare hath left little there that could either be eaten
of carried away. I am informed that the Lord of Grant
although he hath not personally appeared with them hath
sent divers letter unto them. And further, my Intelligence
sayes, that the; enemy intend when they have eaten up this
countrey, which will not be long at the rate they devour,
to separate, to wit, Glencairn to march North, towards
Innerness, Ross and Caithness, and Kenmore towards Aberdeen
Shire. What is become of Lows men, I cannot yet
certainly learn, but the flying report is, that they are dispersed.
The enemy keep Guards on the other side of the
water at the Kirk-town, within less then twice musket shot
of the Castle, but never appeare on this side of the water
within sight of the Castle, and where I cannot over to
them by reason of the Ice. Since I began to write; my Intelligence
assures me, that the occasion of Lorns so sudden
slight was, that after he had faln out with Glencairn, that
same night he sent a Letter to me, to advise me where to
fall on Glencairnes men with the best advantage, but his
Bearer proving false, carried his Letter to Kenmore, whereupon
they drew up part of the Army that way, thinking to
take him that night, and so fled, as aforesaid: they have
imprisoned 7 or 8 of the chiefe Gentlemen that were with
him. It is also said, that Lorn posted away a letter to his
Father acquainting him with his condition, and that he was
Coming into him. The Braymen of this Countrey doe
close with the enemy.