At length Paul found himself in violent storms beating off the rugged southeastern coast of Scotland, with only two accompanying ships.

But neither the mutiny of his fleet, nor the chaos of the elements, made him falter in his purpose.

Nay, at this crisis, he projected the most daring of all his descents.
The Cheviot Hills were in sight.

Sundry vessels had been described bound in for the Firth of Forth, on whose south shore, well up the Firth, stands Leith, the port of Edinburgh, distant but a mile or two from that capital.

He resolved to dash at Leith, and lay it under contribution or in ashes.