COL. ANSTRUTHER THOMSON 237 



made an arrangement with a wholesale house, and 

 produced the number required within the proper time. 



" Battalion Order by Major the Earl of Rosslyn, 

 Commanding F.M.R.V. 



" Cupar, 4th August, i860. 



" On Monday morning the troops will proceed to 

 Edinburgh to attend the review on the 7th inst. 

 Officers commanding troops will issue the necessary 

 order for conveyance of their respective troops." 



In Colonel Thomson's own words : — 



"We proceeded to Edinburgh on Monday, 6th 

 August, crossing from Burntisland in the goods boat, 

 which will hold about a hundred horses formed 

 around the decks with their heads inwards, each man 

 at his horse's head. We had plain saddles and bridles 

 and spurs. 



" The following telegram arrived : ' From Hill 

 Bowen, Pleck, Walsall, to Captain A. Thomson, 

 Cupar-Fife, near Edinburgh. — We are packing the 

 basket. Shall come this night certain with every 

 article myself.' 



" In spite of Hill Bowen's telegram, the goods 

 had not arrived by the middle of the day. Captain 

 Crabtree and I went to the station, but could find 

 nothing. At last a porter said a stout man had 

 arrived by train who appeared to be troubled in his 

 mind ; that he inquired for a lodging, and had gone 

 to bed. We desired the porter to produce him. 

 He did so ; and Mr. Bowen appeared looking as if 



