standard, though prudence
prevented them from joining that of the insurgent Presbyterians. In short, every
rumour tended to increase the apprehension among the insurgents, that the King's
vengeance had only been delayed in order that it might fall more certain and
more heavy.
    Morton endeavoured to fortify the minds of the common people by pointing out
the probable exaggeration of these reports, and by reminding them of the
strength of their own situation, with an unfordable river in front, only
passable by a long and narrow bridge. He called to their remembrance their
victory over Claverhouse when their numbers were few, and then much worse
disciplined and appointed for battle than now; showed them that the ground on
which they lay afforded, by its undulation, and the thickets which intercepted
it, considerable protection against artillery, and even against cavalry, if
stoutly defended; and that their safety, in fact, depended on their own spirit
and resolution.
    But while Morton thus endeavoured to keep up the courage of the army at
large, he availed himself of those discouraging rumours to endeavour to impress
on the minds of the leaders the necessity of proposing to the Government
moderate terms of accommodation, while they were still formidable as commanding
an unbroken and numerous army. He pointed out to them, that, in the present
humour of their followers, it could hardly be expected that they would engage
with advantage the well-appointed and regular force of the Duke of Monmouth; and
that if they chanced, as was most likely, to be defeated and dispersed, the
insurrection in which they had engaged, so far from being useful to the country,
would be rendered the apology for oppressing it more severely.
    Pressed by these arguments, and feeling it equally dangerous to remain
together, or to dismiss their forces, most of the leaders readily agreed, that
if such terms could be obtained as had been transmitted to the Duke of Monmouth
by the hands of Lord Evandale, the purpose for which they had taken up arms
would be, in a great measure, accomplished. They then entered into similar
resolutions, and agreed to guarantee, the petition and remonstrance which had
been drawn up by Morton. On the contrary, there were still several leaders, and
those men whose influence with the people exceeded that of persons of more
apparent consequence, who regarded every proposal of treaty which did not
proceed on the basis of the Solemn League and Covenant of 1640, as utterly null
and void, impious, and unchristian. These men diffused their feelings among the
multitude, who had little foresight, and nothing to lose, and persuaded many
that the timid counsellors who