But the action was intirely over
before the Comte de Nairne, with his command, cou'd reach nigh to the
place. They therefore return'd all to Penrith, and the artilirie marched
up in good order. Nor did the Duke of Comberland ever afterwards dare to
come within a day's march of the Prince and his army dureing the course
of all that retreat, which was conducted with great prudence and safety,
when in some manner surrounded by enemies.'
NOTE 33.--THE OATH UPON THE DIRK
As the heathen deities contracted an indelible obligation if they swore
by Styx, the Scottish Highlanders had usually some peculiar solemnity
attached to an oath which they intended should be binding on them. Very
frequently it consisted in laying their hand, as they swore, on their
own drawn dirk; which dagger, becoming a party to the transaction, was
invoked to punish any breach of faith. But, by whatever ritual the oath
was sanctioned, the party was extremely desirous to keep secret what the
especial oath was, which he considered as irrevocable. This was a matter
of great convenience, as he felt no scruple in breaking his asseveration
when made in any other form than that which he accounted as peculiarly
solemn; and therefore readily granted any engagement which bound him
no longer than he inclined.
Pages:
795
796
797
798
799
800
801
802
803
804
805
806
807
808
809
810
811
812
813
814
815
816
817
818
819