Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-28

quarrel with one another said Gen. Mac
Kay. Hand me the letter and do the mes
senger ill till it's contents
AS he read his cheek flushed for a mo-
ment, and he made an impatient gesture
with his hand. as one repudiating the
shameful accusation. and then he spoke
with his usual composure.
You are right he said addressing Cam
eron, who was his staff. ''in thinking
that Lord Dundee is ready for the fight. I
had expected nothing else from him, for /
knew him of DID, the bigotry of his princi-
pies. and the courage of his heart We
could never be else than foes. but ! wish to
say. whatever happens before the day is
done. that / count him brave and honor
able gentleman, as 1t pleases me to know he
counts me also.
This letter'-and MacKay threw 1t with
irritation the table of the room in which
he had taken mis- morning real. lis from
Dundee explaining that two English officers
have been arrested, who were serving as
prIvates In his cavalry, and who are suS-
peCted of being sent by us to aSSassinate
him. If no answer is sent back they will be
hung at once. but if the charge is denied.
they Will he released which. l take it. gen
tlemen, is merciful and generous conduct.
Il will write letter with my own hand
and clear our honor from this foul SANDER.
Spying Is allowed in war. though l have
never liked it, and the spy need deserve no
mercy, but assassination Is unworthy of
any soldier. and work OF the devil of
which l humbly trust l am incapable. and
also my king. Give this letter''-when he
iIau written ana sealed Ito the meSSen-
ger. Major Lovel, and see that he has a
safe conduct through our army, and past
our outpoSts. Lowell saluted and left the
room. but outside he laughed. and said to
himself, Very likely it's true all the same,
and quick and useful way of ending the
war When Claverhouse dies the rebellion
dies too, and there's text where
which runs like this. 1T is expedient that
one. man should die than all the people, 1
wonder who those fellows are, and If they'll
manage 1t. and what they're going to get.
They have the devils luck in this affair
for. of course MacKay would be told moth
Ing about it he's the piousest officer in the
English army"
Dundee received MacKay's letter during
the long wait before the battle. and this is
what he read:
TO My Lord Viscount Dundee Command
ing the forces raised in the interest of
James Stuart.
My Lord: 1t gives me satisfaction that,
altho words once passed between us, and
there be a far greater difference today, you
have not believed that was art and part in
80 base a work as assassination and here
by on my word of honor an officer, and
as a Christian. declare that know nothing
OF the two men who are under arrest In
your camp. So far as l am concerned their
blood should not be shed. nor any evil befall
them
Before this letter reaches your hand we
shall be arrayed against one another in
order of battle, and though arms be my
profession, / am filled with sorrow as I
think that the conflict today will be be-
tween men Of the same nation and some
times of the same family, for 1t seemeth to
me if brother will be Staying brother
Il fear that ii is too late to avert battle,
and | have no authority to offer any terms
of settlement to you and those that~are with
you. Unto God belongs the issue, and in
His hands | leave ii. We are divided by
faith. and now also by loyalty, but if any
evil befell your person / pray you to believe
that it would give me no satisfaction, and
I beg that we be not angry with me nor re-
gard me with contempt IL l send you. as
now do, the prayer which, as believer in
our common Lord, have drawn up for the
use of our army. 1t may be the last COM
munication that shall pass between us.
Il have the honor to be,
Your very obedient servant
HUGH MACKAY.
"Commander-in-Chef Of His Majestys
Forces.
And this was the prayer. surely'the most
the British army:
20 Almighty King of Kings. and Lord of
Hosts, which by Thy Angels thereunto ap-
pointed, doSt minister both War and Race;
Thou rulest and commanded all things and
sittest In the throne judging right: And,
therefore. made Addresses to Thy
Divine Majesty in this our necessity, that
Thou wouldst take and our Cause into
Thine Own hand and judge between us and
our Enemies. Stir up Thy strength. o Lord
and come and help us. for Thou givest not
always the Battle to the strong, but canst
| save by Many or Few. o let not our sins
| now cry against us for vengeance, but hear
us, Thy poor servants begging mercy, and
| imploring Thy help, and that Thou wouldst
be a defense for against the Enemy
Make Ii appear that Thou art our Saviour,