Harrison, in his ride, encountered some such report concerning the event of the battle, and turned his horse back to Tillietudlem in great dismay.

He made it his first business to seek out the Major, and interrupted him in the midst of a prolix account of the siege and storm of Dundee, with the ejaculation, "Heaven send, Major, that we do not see a siege of Tillietudlem before we are many days older!" "How is that, Harrison ?--what the devil do you mean ?" exclaimed the astonished veteran.
"Troth, sir, there is strong and increasing belief that Claver'se is clean broken, some say killed; that the soldiers are all dispersed, and that the rebels are hastening this way, threatening death and devastation to a' that will not take the Covenant." "I will never believe that," said the Major, starting on his feet--"I will never believe that the Life-Guards would retreat before rebels;--and yet why need I say that," he continued, checking himself, "when I have seen such sights myself ?--Send out Pike, and one or two of the servants, for intelligence, and let all the men in the Castle and in the village that can be trusted take up arms.

This old tower may hold them play a bit, if it were but victualled and garrisoned, and it commands the pass between the high and low countries .-- It's lucky I chanced to be here .-- Go, muster men, Harrison .-- You, Gudyill, look what provisions you have, or can get brought in, and be ready, if the news be confirmed, to knock down as many bullocks as you have salt for .-- The well never goes dry .-- There are some old-fashioned guns on the battlements; if we had but ammunition, we should do well enough." "The soldiers left some casks of ammunition at the Grange this morning, to bide their return," said Harrison.
"Hasten, then," said the Major, "and bring it into the Castle, with every pike, sword, pistol, or gun, that is within our reach; don't leave so much as a bodkin--Lucky that I was here!--I will speak to my sister instantly." Lady Margaret Bellenden was astounded at intelligence so unexpected and so alarming.

It had seemed to her that the imposing force which had that morning left her walls, was sufficient to have routed all the disaffected in Scotland, if collected in a body; and now her first reflection was upon the inadequacy of their own means of resistance, to an army strong enough to have defeated Claverhouse and such select troops.

"Woe's me! woe's me!" said she; "what will all that we can do avail us, brother ?-- What will resistance do but bring sure destruction on the house, and on the bairn Edith! for, God knows, I thinkna on my ain auld life." "Come, sister," said the Major, "you must not be cast down; the place is strong, the rebels ignorant and ill-provided: my brother's house shall not be made a den of thieves and rebels while old Miles Bellenden is in it.