352 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



express instructions about fortifying Lewis, stating that 

 the Dutch had " an eye on it," and that it was necessary 

 to keep it at all costs from falling into their hands. 

 Lilburn endeavoured to re-assure him by stating that 

 they were more likely to prefer Shetland, but promised 

 to obey Cromwell's commands. Money and ammunition 

 in the island were both running short, and Lilburn was 

 forced to send to Edinburgh Castle and Leith for the 

 requirements of the garrison. In view of the possible 

 contingency of Middleton and the Dutch agreeing to 

 capture Stornoway and fortify the harbour (or a harbour 

 in Orkney), Cromwell was asked to send money and men 

 in order to make the town secure against attack. Cromwell 

 immediately ordered Lilburn to hasten the work of forti- 

 fication, and to reinforce the garrisons in the Hebrides. 

 The Commander-in-Chief, while anxious to obey the 

 Protector's orders implicitly, found the resources at his 

 disposal inadequate to cope with the situation. He dis- 

 cussed the matter with Cobbet, who had returned from 

 Mull, and with others " who knew the islands," and in- 

 formed Cromwell that the men who could be spared were 

 insufficient to garrison the Hebrides efficiently. Even if 

 they had 4,000 men, it would be easy for Middleton or 

 any other enemy to land in twenty different places, unless 

 the coast could be guarded by a squadron of warships, 

 the assistance of which was impossible, pending the issue 

 of the peace negotiations with the Dutch Republic. 

 Lilburn therefore asked the Protector to re-consider his 

 instructions, promising to carry them out faithfully if con- 

 firmed ; he had already ordered the governor of Lewis 

 to strengthen the fortifications of Stornoway. Lilburn's 

 representations appear to have prevailed with Cromwell, 

 for nothing further is heard of the proposed reinforce- 

 ments, though there can be no doubt that the forts in 

 Lewis were strengthened.* 



That Cromwell, who had his spies everywhere, had 



* Scott. Hist. Soc. t Vol. XVIII., pp. 225-7, 230-232. 



