The general leaning of the Athol men was towards King James.

For they had been employed by him, only four years before, as the ministers of his vengeance against the House of Argyle.

They had garrisoned Inverary: they had ravaged Lorn: they had demolished houses, cut down fruit trees, burned fishing boats, broken millstones, hanged Campbells, and were therefore not likely to be pleased by the prospect of Mac Callum Mores restoration.

One word from the Marquess would have sent two thousand claymores to the Jacobite side.

But that word he would not speak; and the consequence was, that the conduct of his followers was as irresolute and inconsistent as his own.
While they were waiting for some indication of his wishes, they were called to arms at once by two leaders, either of whom might, with some show of reason, claim to be considered as the representative of the absent chief.