560 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [cir. 46. a throne for a Celtic chief ; he replied with sending an offer to the Deputy ' to go against the rehel with all his power.' Still more opportunely the Earl of Murray at the last moment detached Argyle from the pernicious and monstrous alliance into which he had been led by his vindictiveness against Elizabeth. The Scots of the Isles, freed from the commands of their feudal sovereign, resumed their old attitude of fear and hatred. Shan offered them all Antrim to join him, all the cattle in the country and the release of Surlyboy from captivity ; but Antrim and its cattle they believed that they could recover for themselves, and James M'Connell had left a brother Allaster who was watching with eager eyes for an opportunity to revenge the death of his kinsman and the dishonour with which Shan had stained his race. The Scots, though still few in number, hung as a cloud over the north-east. Dropping boat-loads of Highland- ers from the Isles were guided to the coast by the beacon- fires which blazed nightly over the giant columns of Fairhead. Allaster M'Connell offered his services to Sidney as soon as the game should begin ; and Shan, after all, instead of conquering Ireland might have enough to do to hold his own. The weather was un- favourable and the summer was wet and wild with westerly gales. Sir Edward Horsey, who was sent with money from London, was detained half August at Holy- head; Colonel Randolph and his thousand men were chafing for thirty days at Bristol, ' fearing that their enemies the winds would let them that they should not
