One of his first acts was to send a large body of men, chiefly Robertsons, down into the low country for the purpose of collecting provisions.

He seems to have supposed that this detachment would without difficulty occupy Perth.

But Mackay had already restored order among the remains of his army: he had assembled round him some troops which had not shared in the disgrace of the late defeat; and he was again ready for action.

Cruel as his sufferings had been, he had wisely and magnanimously resolved not to punish what was past.

To distinguish between degrees of guilt was not easy.