However this might be, the quarrel was composed; and the two chiefs met, with the outward show of civility, at the general's table, [346] What Dundee saw of his Celtic allies must have made him desirous to have in his army some troops on whose obedience he could depend, and who would not, at a signal from their colonel, turn their arms against their general and their king.

He accordingly, during the months of May and June, sent to Dublin a succession of letters earnestly imploring assistance.

If six thousand, four thousand, three thousand, regular soldiers were now sent to Lochaber, he trusted that his Majesty would soon hold a court in Holyrood.

That such a force might be spared hardly admitted of a doubt.

The authority of James was at that time acknowledged in every part of Ireland, except on the shores of Lough Erne and behind the ramparts of Londonderry.