* * * * *
[Sidenote: June.]
_N.B._--When the Prince was marching his army towards England, Duncan
Cameron was ordered to attend the Prince's baggage, and had got a
young horse to ride upon that had not been accustomed to noise, and
therefore threw Duncan upon hearing the pipes and the drums. Duncan
was so bruised with the fall that he behoved to be left behind, and
accordingly was carried to the house in which Lady Orbiston was then
living in the neighbourhood of Dalkeith. Soon an information was
given that the Highlanders had left one behind them at such a place,
and he was said to be Colonel Strickland in his wounds, [Sidenote:
_fol._ 363.] upon which a party of dragoons was dispatched to take
the Colonel prisoner. But they found only plain Duncan, whom they
brought into Edinburgh. He was committed to the city jayl, where he
was so lucky as to be overlooked, either through sickness or want
of evidence, when others were sent off to England to stand trial.
At last he was released, nothing appearing against him, some time
before the indemnity came out, and got a protection for going to his
own country in the Highlands. However Duncan had no mind to make use
of that protection, being resolved to return to France. He luckily
fell in with Mrs. Fothringham, who was going over to France to her
husband, late governor of Dundee. This lady was allowed a pass and
protection for herself, a child, a man-servant, and a maid-servant,
to sail for Holland. She wanted much to have Duncan Cameron along
with her, because, having the French language well, he would prove
an excellent guide for her to France. Duncan on the other hand was
fond of [Sidenote: _fol._ 364.] having it in his power to oblige
such a lady, and glad to go into any scheme whereby he could safely
make his way to Holland, and therefore he agreed to pass for Mrs.
Fothringham's servant, and accordingly he was insert in the pass
under the name of Duncan Campbell, an Argyleshire man. They sailed
from Leith Road on board of one _Sibbald_, upon Friday, June 19th,
and arrived in Holland the 23d, 1747.
It was most lucky for Duncan Cameron that it was never known to any
in the government that he was one of those who came over in the
same frigate with the Prince. The most distant suspicion was never
entertained about this, otherwise his fate would have turned out in
quite another shape.