distinctions in Germany, had never been commanded but by a
Hepburn or a Douglas. While they were in this angry and
punctilious mood, they were ordered to join the forces which were
assembling at Harwich. There was much murmuring; but there was no
outbreak till the regiment arrived at Ipswich. There the signal of revolt was
given by two
captains who were zealous for the exiled King. The market place
was soon filled with pikemen and musketeers running to and fro.
Gunshots were wildly fired in all directions. Those officers who
attempted to restrain the rioters were overpowered and disarmed.
At length the chiefs of the insurrection established some order,
and marched out of Ipswich at the head of their adherents. The
little army consisted of about eight hundred men. They had seized
four pieces of cannon, and had taken possession of the military
chest, which contained a considerable sum of money. At the
distance of half a mile from the town a halt was called: a
general consultation was held; and the mutineers resolved that
they would hasten back to their native country, and would live
and die with their rightful King. They instantly proceeded
northward by forced marches.43

When the news reached London the dismay was great. It was
rumoured that alarming symptoms had appeared in other regiments,
and particularly that a body of fusileers which lay at Harwich
was likely to imitate the example set at Ipswich. "If these
Scots," said Halifax to Reresby, "are unsupported, they are lost.
But if they have acted in concert with others, the danger is
serious indeed."44 The truth seems to be that there was a
conspiracy which had ramifications in many parts of the army, but
that the conspirators were awed by the firmness of the government