As parties of the military were known to be stationed at a short

distance from the place where Charles and his party landed, they

were afraid to leave it, and slept three nights in the open air on

the banks of Loch Nevis. On the fourth day the old laird and one

of the boatmen ventured a little way into the country in quest of

a place of concealment; and the prince, along with John Mackinnon

and the other three boatmen, proceeded up the loch close to the

shore. In turning a point, they unexpectedly came upon a boat tied

to a rock, and so near as to touch her with their oars. This boat

belonged to a militia party who were seen standing on the shore, and

were at once recognised by their badge, which was a red cross on

their bonnets. This party immediately hailed the boat, and demanded

to know whence they came. The boatmen answered that they were from

Sleat. The militiamen then ordered the boat to come ashore; but the

boatmen continuing to row, the military jumped into their boat and

gave chase. Charles, who lay in the bottom of the boat with John

Mackinnon’s plaid spread over him, wished to get up and attempt to

escape by jumping ashore, but Mackinnon would not allow him, as

he considered the experiment very dangerous. During the pursuit,

Charles, who was anxious to know the relative progress of the two

boats, kept up a conversation with the trusty Highlander, who

assured him from time to time that the pursuers did not gain upon

them. Both parties were equal in point of numbers; and as Mackinnon

contemplated the possibility of the militiamen overtaking them, he

directed the boatmen to keep their muskets close by them, but not

to fire till he should give the word of command by firing first.

“Be sure, (said John,) to take an aim. Mark well, and there is no

fear. We will be able to manage these rogues, if we come to engage

them.” Charles, begging that no lives might be sacrificed without

an absolute necessity, Mackinnon said he would not fire if it could

be avoided; but if compelled to do so in self-defence, their own

preservation required that none of the assailants should escape to

tell the news of their disaster. Observing a wood at some distance

which reached down to the water, Mackinnon directed the boatmen to

pull in that direction; and on reaching the shore, the prince,

followed by Mackinnon and one of the boatmen, sprang out of the boat,

and plunging into the wood, nimbly ascended the hill. The alarm into

which they had been thrown gave place to feelings of a very different

description, when, on reaching the summit of the hill, they perceived

their pursuers returning from their fruitless chase.[1273]

Finding himself much fatigued, Charles slept three hours on this

eminence, and returning down the hill, crossed the loch to a small

island near the seat of Macdonald of Scothouse. Understanding that

old Clanranald was there on a visit, Charles sent Mackinnon to

solicit his protection, but the old chief positively refused to

receive him. Upon Mackinnon’s return the party repassed the loch,

and returned to Mallag, where they rejoined the old laird. After

refreshing themselves, they set out for the seat of Macdonald of

Morar, about eight miles distant. In crossing the promontory between

Loch Nevis and Loch Morar they passed a shieling, or cottage, where

they observed some people coming down towards the road. Afraid that

he would be known, the prince made John Mackinnon fold his plaid

for him, and threw it over his shoulder with his knapsack upon it.

To disguise himself still further, he tied a handkerchief about

his head. In this attire Charles passed for Mackinnon’s servant. A

grandson of Macdonald of Scothouse, who was at the shieling, gave the

party a draught of milk. At another shieling they procured another

draught; and, as the night was dark and the road bad, they took a

guide along with them to conduct them across the ford to Morar’s

house. When they came to this ford, an amusing occurrence took place.

Mackinnon, desirous to keep Charles dry in crossing, desired the

guide to be so good as carry “this poor sick fellow,” (pointing to

the prince,) upon his back across the ford, as it was then pretty

deep; but the guide indignantly answered, “The deil be on the back he

comes, or any fellow of a servant like him; but I’ll take _you_ on

my back, Sir, if you please, and carry you safely through the ford.”

“No, by no means,” said Mackinnon, “if the lad must wade, I’ll wade

along with him, and help him, lest any harm should happen to him;”

on saying which, he laid hold of Charles’s arm, and they crossed the

ford together. Both Charles and Mackinnon were pleased to find that

the guide had no suspicion that the pretended sick person was the

prince.

A little before day-break the party arrived at the end of their

journey, but were disappointed to find that the mansion, where they

expected to meet with a hospitable reception, had been burnt to the

ground, and that its proprietor had been obliged to take up his abode

in a bothy or hut in the neighbourhood. Morar, who had acted as

lieutenant-colonel of Clanranald’s regiment, gave the prince a hearty

welcome. Having entertained Charles and his party, he conducted them

to a cave for security, and went off in quest of young Clanranald,

whom the prince was most anxious to see. After some hours’ absence

Morar returned, and, reporting that he could not find Clanranald,

Charles told him that as he had failed in meeting with that young

chief, he would put himself under Morar’s charge. According to

Mackinnon’s statement, Morar declined to take such a responsibility

upon him, and even declared that he did not know any person to whose

care he could commit Charles’s person. The prince, stung by the

altered demeanour of Morar, thus accosted him: “This is very hard.

You were very kind yesternight, Morar! and said you could find out

a hiding-place, proof against all the search of the enemy’s forces;

and now you say you can do nothing at all for me! You can travel to

no place but what I will travel to; no eatables or drinkables can you

take but what I can take a share along with you, and be well content

with them, and even pay handsomely for them. When fortune smiled

upon me and I had pay to give, I then found some people ready enough

to serve me; but now that fortune frowns on me, and I have no pay

to give, they forsake me in my necessity.” The chief of Mackinnon

and his clansman were highly indignant at Morar, and insisted that

he must have seen young Clanranald, and that he had been advised to

his present course, but Morar resolutely denied the charge. Charles

in great distress exclaimed, “O God Almighty! look down upon my

circumstances, and pity me; for I am in a most melancholy situation.

Some of those who joined me at first, and appeared to be fast

friends, now turn their backs upon me in my greatest need: and some

of those again who refused to join me, and stood at a distance, are

now among my best friends; for it is remarkable that those of Sir

Alexander Macdonald’s following have been most faithful to me in my

distress, and contributed greatly to my preservation.” Then turning

round to Mackinnon, he said, “I hope, Mr. Mackinnon, you will not

desert me too, and leave me in the lurch; but that you will do all

for my preservation you can.” The old laird, thinking that these

words were meant for him, said, with tears in his eyes, “I never will

leave your royal highness in the day of danger; but will, under God,

do all I can for you, and go with you wherever you order me.”--“Oh

no!” rejoined Charles, “that is too much for one of your advanced

years, Sir; I heartily thank you for your readiness to take care of

me, as I am well satisfied of your zeal for me and my cause; but one

of your age cannot well hold out with the fatigues and dangers I must

undergo. It was to your friend John here, a stout young man, I was

addressing myself.”--“Well then,” said John, “with the help of God,

I will go through the wide world with your royal highness, if you

desire me.”[1274]

Disappointed in his inquiries after Clanranald, and unsuccessful, if

John Mackinnon’s statement be correct, in his application to Morar,

Charles resolved to go to Borodale, and solicit the assistance of

“honest old Æneas Macdonald.” Accordingly, after taking leave of

the laird of Mackinnon, Charles set off for Borodale, accompanied

by John Mackinnon, under the direction of a boy, a son of Morar,

as guide. The party reached Borodale, on the morning of the 10th

of July, before day-break. As was the case at Morar, the house of

the proprietor had been burnt by a body of troops, under Captain

Ferguson, and Borodale was residing in a hut hard by the ruins of his

mansion. Borodale was in bed when Charles arrived, and the door was

shut. Mackinnon called upon Borodale to rise, who, knowing his voice,

got up, and throwing some blankets about him, went to the door.

Mackinnon asked him if he had heard any thing of the prince. “No,”

replied the old gentleman. “What would you give,” rejoined John,

“for a sight of him?” “Time was,” said the warm-hearted Highlander,

“that I would have given a hearty bottle to see him safe; but since

I see you I expect to hear some news of him.” “Well, then,” replied

Mackinnon, “I have brought him here, and will commit him to your

charge. I have done my duty, do you yours.” “I am glad of it,” said

Borodale, “and shall not fail to take care of him: I shall lodge him

so secure that all the forces in Britain shall not find him out.”

John Mackinnon then took his leave, and returned to Ellagol; but he

had scarcely reached his house when he was apprehended by a party of

militia, and along with his chief, who was also captured by another

party at Morar, the morning after Charles’s departure, conveyed to

London, and kept in confinement till July, 1747.

Borodale conducted his guest to a hut in a neighbouring wood, where

he entertained him in the best manner he could for three days,

and in the meantime, Charles despatched John Macdonald, junior,

one of Borodale’s sons, with a letter to Alexander Macdonald of

Glenaladale, who had been in his service as Major of the Clanranald

regiment.[1275] Receiving, shortly after this express had been sent,

information of the laird of Mackinnon’s capture, and judging that

his residence in the wood was not safe, Borodale, accompanied by his

son Ronald, who had been a lieutenant in Clanranald’s own company,

conducted Charles to an almost inaccessible cave four miles eastward,

in which he directed him to remain till Glenaladale should arrive.

Charles’s letter was punctually delivered to Glenaladale, who, two

days after it was written, viz. on the 15th of July, met Borodale at

an appointed place, and paid a visit to Charles. Next day Borodale

received a letter from his son-in-law, Angus Mac Eachan, residing

in the glen of Morar, who had served as surgeon to Glengarry’s

regiment, informing him that a rumour was beginning to prevail in

the country, that the prince was in concealment about Borodale;

and representing the danger Charles would be in, by remaining on

Borodale’s lands any longer, he offered him a more secure asylum,

in a place he had prepared for him. Before accepting this offer,

Ronald Macdonald was sent to reconnoitre the place. Next day, John

Macdonald was despatched to view the coast, and ascertain the motions

of the military; and having brought intelligence that he saw a boat

approaching that part of the coast where the grotto was situated,

Charles, without waiting for the return of Ronald Macdonald,

immediately left the cave, and set off for the glen of Morar, to

the place prepared for him. He was accompanied by Glenaladale,

Borodale, and John Macdonald junior, son of the latter. They were

met, at a place called Corrybeine Cabir, by Borodale’s son-in-law,

who informed Charles that Clanranald was waiting a few miles off, to

conduct him to a safe place of concealment he had prepared for him.

Charles would have proceeded to meet Clanranald, but as the evening

was far advanced, and as he was much nearer his intended quarters in

Glen Morar than the place where Clanranald was, he proceeded onward,

intending to communicate with him next day.

Borodale, who had proceeded to Glen Morar in advance of the party to

procure some necessaries, received information, on his arrival there,

that some men-of-war with troops on board, under General Campbell,

had anchored in Loch Nevis. He thereupon despatched two men to Loch

Nevis, by way of Loch Morar, to observe General Campbell’s motions,

and having received farther intelligence, that Captain Scott had

arrived with a party in the lower part of Arisaig, he returned to

Charles, and communicated to him the information he had received.

Being assured that Charles was upon one of the promontories betwixt

Loch Hourn and Loch Shiel, the English commanders had formed a chain

of posts across the heads of these and the intermediate arms of the

sea, so as to intercept him should he attempt to escape by land

into the interior; and to catch him, should he venture to return to

the islands, cruisers and boats were stationed at the mouths of the

lochs. The sentinels along this line, which extended to the length of

thirty miles, were placed so near one another in the day time, that

no person could pass without being seen by them, and at night fires

were lighted at every post, and the opposite sentinels passed, and

repassed one another, from fire to fire. To cross such a chain during

the day was quite impossible, nor did a passage by night appear more

practicable.

Finding thus, that Clanranald’s country was wholly surrounded by

the government troops, and that he would not be able to join that

chief, Charles resolved to leave it immediately. To lessen the risk

of discovery, by reducing the number of his companions, he took leave

of Borodale and his son-in-law, and attended by Glenaladale, his

brother Lieutenant John Macdonald, who had been an officer in the

French service, and John Macdonald junior, Borodale’s son, set out in

the morning of the 18th of July, and by mid-day reached the summit

of a hill called Scoorvuy, at the eastern extremity of Arisaig. Here

they rested and took some refreshment, and Glenaladale’s brother was

then despatched to Glenfinnan, to obtain intelligence, and to direct

two men whom Glenaladale had stationed there, to join the prince

about ten o’clock at night, on the top of a hill called Swernink

Corrichan, above Loch Arkaig in Lochiel’s country. After Lieutenant

John Macdonald’s departure, Charles set out with his two remaining

companions, and at two o’clock came to the top of a neighbouring

hill, called Fruigh-vein. Observing some cattle in motion,

Glenaladale went forward to ascertain the cause, and found that

these cattle belonged to some of his own tenants, who were driving

them away out of the reach of a body of 600 or 700 troops, who had

come to the head of Loch Arkaig, to hem in the prince. As Charles

and his friends meant to pass in that direction, they were greatly

disconcerted at this intelligence, and resolved to alter their

course. Glenaladale sent one of his tenants to Glenfinnan, which was

only about a mile off, to recall his brother and the two men; and

at the same time he sent another messenger for Donald Cameron of

Glenpean, who had removed with his effects to a neighbouring hill,

on the approach of the troops, that he might ascertain from him

the situation of the troops about Fort Augustus, and to obtain his

assistance in conducting the prince through the chain of posts. As

they waited the return of the messengers, one of the tenants’ wives,

regretting the condition of Glenaladale her landlord, and desirous

of giving him some refreshment milked some of her cows, and brought

the milk to him. Observing the woman approaching, Charles covered

his head with a handkerchief, and passed for one of Glenaladale’s

servants, who had got a headach. Though this refreshment, from the

excessive heat of the day, was very seasonable, yet they would have

gladly dispensed with the obtrusive kindness of the warm-hearted

female. That Charles might participate in the present, without

observation from the donor, Glenaladale prevailed upon her, though

with some difficulty, to retire, and leave her dish behind.

After a short absence the messenger who had been despatched to

Glenfinnan returned without finding Glenaladale’s brother, or the two

men who had, before his arrival there, departed for the appointed

place of rendezvous. He brought the alarming intelligence, that a

hundred of the Argyleshire militia had arrived at the foot of the

hill on which the prince now stood. Without waiting for the return

of the other messenger, the party set out about sunset on their

hazardous attempt. They travelled at a pretty quick pace till about

eleven o’clock at night; when passing through a hollow way between

two hills, they observed a man coming down one of them in their

direction. Charles and young Macdonald kept behind, and Glenaladale

went forward to ascertain whether this person was friend or foe.

Strange to tell, the suspected individual was Donald Cameron of

Glenpean, the very person whom, of all others, Glenaladale wished to

see. He was immediately conducted to Charles, to whom he communicated

such information as he had obtained about the government troops.

Undertaking to guide the prince and his companions past the guards,

Cameron conducted them over roads almost impassable in day-light; and

after travelling all night, they arrived about four o’clock in the

morning of the 19th of July, on the top of a hill in the braes of

Loch Arkaig, called Mamnyn-Callum, from which they could perceive the

enemy’s camp about a mile distant. Being informed by their guide,

that the hill on which they now stood had been searched the previous

day, they supposed there would not be a second search for some time,

and they therefore resolved to remain on the hill all the day. They

lay down to rest, and after sleeping two hours, the whole party, with

the exception of Charles, rose to keep watch. About ten o’clock they

observed a man at a little distance coming up the hill. As there

was a probability that Cameron, being generally acquainted with the

inhabitants of that part of the country, might know this person, he

was sent forward to speak with him, and was agreeably surprised to

find that he was no other than Glenaladale’s brother, who not meeting

the prince at the place appointed, had become alarmed for his safety,

and was in search of him.

[Illustration: Loch Arkaig.--Achnacarry, seat of Cameron of Lochiel,

in middle distance.]

The whole party remained on the top of the hill all the day, and

about nine o’clock at night set out in a southern direction. About

one o’clock in the morning they came to a place called Corrinangaull,

on the confines of Knoydart and Loch Arkaig, where Cameron expected

to have met some of the Loch Arkaig people, who had fled with their

cattle on the approach of the soldiery. Cameron had calculated on

getting a supply of provisions from these people, as the prince and

his party had only a small quantity of butter and oatmeal, which they

could not prepare for want of fire. Perceiving some huts down the

face of the hill, Glenaladale’s brother and the guide, at the risk of

being observed by some of the sentinels who were going their rounds,

ventured down to them, in expectation of meeting some of the country

people, and obtaining a supply of provisions; but they found these

shielings uninhabited. Judging themselves no longer safe on the top

of the hill, the whole party shifted their quarters, and went to a

fastness in the brow of a hill at the head of Lochnaigh, about a mile

distant from the troops. They lay down in this retreat to take some

rest. With the exception of Charles, they all awoke after a short

repose; and it was resolved that, dangerous as the experiment might

be, Glenaladale’s brother and the guide should again go in quest of

provisions, of which they now stood in very great need. Leaving,

therefore, Glenaladale, and Borodale’s son to stand sentry over

Charles, they set off, while it was yet dark, on their errand. The

place which the weary wanderers had chosen for their nocturnal abode

commanded a view of the lake, and when the sun rose, Charles and his

friends observed the enemy’s camp at the head of Lochnaigh. They

would have gladly removed to a greater distance, but they resolved to

wait for the return of the foraging party, who arrived about three

o’clock in the afternoon, with two small cheeses, which were all

the provisions they could procure. They also brought the alarming

intelligence, that about a hundred soldiers were marching up the

opposite side of the hill to search for some of the country people,

who were supposed to have fled thither for shelter.

As it was not improbable that this party would in the course of

their examination find out the place where Charles and his friends

lay concealed, the most direful apprehensions must have seized the

minds of the unhappy fugitives. Seeing no possibility of leaving

their retreat without observation, whilst the soldiers were on the

hill, they resolved to remain and abide the result. The soldiers

made a general and narrow search all around, but fortunately did not

come to the place where the wanderers lay. After the search was over

the soldiers returned to their camp; and about eight o’clock in the

evening Charles and his friends left their place of concealment,

and, travelling at a very quick pace till it became dark, ascended

a steep hill called Drimachosi, on arriving at the top of which,

they observed the fires of a camp directly in their front, which in

passing onward they imagined they could scarcely avoid. Determined,

however, to make the attempt, whatever might be the consequences,

they proceeded forward, and came so near the posts as to hear the

soldiers talking together.

In passing over the top of this mountain Charles made a very narrow

escape. Down a steep and pathless descent a small stream glided, the

waters of which spreading among a mixture of grass and heath, with

which the descent was covered, rendered it slippery, and of course

very dangerous. When about to descend, Charles’s foot slipped, and he

would have undoubtedly fallen headlong down the precipice, and been

dashed to pieces, had not Cameron, who preceded him, seized him by

one of his arms, and held him fast with one hand, whilst, with the

other, he laid hold of the heath to prevent both from tumbling down

together. In this situation, Cameron held Charles till Glenaladale

came down, who, laying hold of the prince’s other arm, rescued him

from his danger. Arriving at the bottom, they crept up the next hill,

and, on reaching its summit, perceived the fires of another camp at

the foot of the hill, directly in the way they intended to go down.

To pass this post seemed to be an undertaking utterly hopeless, and

certain destruction appeared inevitable in the attempt; yet extremely

dangerous as it was, the party resolved to make it. Unwilling,

however, to expose the prince to such great risk, before putting

the practicability of the measure to the test, Cameron, entirely

regardless of his own safety, proposed to make the experiment

himself before Charles ventured to pass. “If I succeed,” said the

generous Highlander, “and return safe, then your royal highness

may venture, and I shall conduct you.” At this time Cameron’s nose

began to itch,--a circumstance which was regarded by Donald as a

dangerous omen. Whilst rubbing his nose, he could not avoid stating

his apprehensions to Charles; but these superstitious fears did

not divert him from his purpose. Cameron accordingly went forward,

and, in a short time, returned to his companions with the agreeable

information that he had entirely succeeded. No doubt now existing

of the practicability and even the safety of the attempt, the

whole party set off about two o’clock in the morning. Turning a

little westward, Cameron conducted them to the channel of a small

brook, through which they crept on their hands and feet to escape

observation; and watching their opportunity when the backs of the

sentinels were turned towards one another, quietly passed between

them. After they were out of danger from the guards, Charles came up

to Glenpean, and jocularly said to him, “Well, Donald, how does your

nose do now?” “It is better now,” answered Cameron, “but it still

yucks (itches) a little.” “Aye, Donald,” rejoined the prince, as if

taking the hint, “have we still more guards to go through?”

Having thus fortunately cleared the line of posts, the party

proceeded in their course, and, at about the distance of two miles,

came to a place called Corriscorridill, on the Glenelg side of the

head of Loch Hourn, where they stopped, and, having chosen a secure

place, sat down and took some refreshment. They had no bread; but

Charles supplied the deficiency by covering a slice of the dry cheese

with oatmeal. He partook of this coarse fare cheerfully, and washed

it down with some water from a neighbouring spring. They remained in

this retreat till eight o’clock in the evening.

It being now evident that Charles could not remain with any chance

of safety in the West Highlands, Glenaladale proposed, that instead

of going eastward, as Charles intended, he should proceed north into

Ross-shire, and seek an asylum among that part of the Mackenzies who

had not joined in the insurrection, and whose territory had not,

on that account, been visited by the military. Charles resolved to

adopt the advice of his kind friend; and as Cameron was unacquainted

with the route, he and Glenaladale left the covert to look out for

a guide. Before they had gone far, however, they were astonished

to find that they had passed all the day within cannon-shot of

two little camps, and they perceived, at the same time, a company

of soldiers driving some sheep into a hut, for the purpose, as

they supposed, of being slaughtered. Returning to their place of

concealment, they apprised Charles of their discovery; and as no

time was to be lost in providing for their safety, the whole party

immediately set off, and about three o’clock next morning, July the

27th, reached Glenshiel, in the Earl of Seaforth’s country. As their

small stock of provisions was exhausted, Glenaladale and Borodale’s

son went forward in quest of a supply, and to find out a guide to

conduct them to Pollew, where it was reported some French vessels

had been. Whilst Glenaladale was conversing with some country people

about a guide, a Glengarry man, who had been chased that morning

by a party of soldiers from Glengarry, after they had killed his

father, came running up. This man, who had served in the prince’s

army, was recognised at once by Glenaladale, and as he knew him to

be trustworthy, he resolved to keep him in reserve as a guide, in

case they should be obliged to change their plan, and to remain

about Glengarry. Having procured some provisions, Glenaladale and

his companion returned to Charles, and after the whole party had

partaken of the food, they retired to the face of an adjacent hill,

and lay down to rest in a cave. They slept till between four and five

o’clock in the afternoon, when Cameron, who had acted so faithfully,

took his leave, as he was unacquainted with that part of the country.

After Cameron’s departure, Glenaladale, observing the Glengarry man

returning to his own country, stepped out of the cave and prevailed

upon him to remain in a by-place for a short time, as he said he had

something to communicate to him. Glenaladale, on his return, stated

his plan to Charles, which was to keep the Glengarry man without

explaining to him any thing, till such time as he could ascertain

whether he could depend upon getting a guide to Pollew, failing

which he would retain the Glengarry man. Charles approved of what

Glenaladale had done. About seven o’clock, Glenaladale repaired to

a place where he had appointed a man, who had promised to procure

a guide, to meet him, and having found this person, was informed

by him that he could not get one, and that the only French vessel

that had touched at Pollew had gone away. Glenaladale, therefore,

dismissed this person, and returning to Charles, informed him of

what had passed. They then gave up the idea of proceeding farther

into Ross-shire, and the Glengarry man, having been introduced to

the prince, cheerfully undertook to conduct him to Strathglass or

Glenmoriston, to either of which districts he intended, according to

circumstances, to shape his course.[1276]

Accordingly the whole party, accompanied by their new guide, set out

through Glenshiel at a late hour; but they had not proceeded more

than half-a-mile, when Glenaladale stopped short, and, clapping his

hand upon his side, declared that his purse, containing 40 guineas,

which the prince had given him for defraying expenses, was gone.

Thinking that he had left it at their last resting place, Glenaladale

proposed to go back in quest of it, and desired the prince to remain

behind an adjacent hill till he returned; but Charles was averse to

the proposal, though the purse contained his whole stock of money.

Glenaladale, however, went back along with Borodale’s son, and,

on arriving at their last resting place, found the purse, but its

contents were gone. Recollecting that a little boy had been at the

place with a present of milk from a person whom Glenaladale had

visited, he supposed that the boy might have taken away the purse,

and he and his companion proceeded to the house of Gilchrist M’Rath,

the person alluded to, and found the boy, who, as he had conjectured,

had stolen the purse of gold. By means of Gilchrist, the money was

restored to Glenaladale, with the exception of a trifle.

The temporary loss of the purse was a very fortunate occurrence

for Charles and his friends, as, during Glenaladale’s absence, an

officer and two privates passed close by the place where Charles

stood, having come by the very road he and his party had intended

to proceed. As they went in the direction taken by Glenaladale and

his companion, Charles grew very uneasy about his friends, lest they

should, on their return, meet with this party; but returning by a

different way, they rejoined the prince without interruption. Charles

was overjoyed at the return of his friend; and, with reference to his

late providential escape, observed, “Glenaladale, my hour, I see, is

not come; for I believe I should not be taken though I had a mind

to it.” The party now continued their journey. In passing over the

field of Glenshiel, the Glengarry man entertained Charles with an

account of the action which happened there in 1719. Charles, it is

said, could not help admiring the sagacity of his guide, who, though

he had not been in the battle, gave as circumstantial and accurate an

account of it as if he had been present.[1277]

Travelling all night, Charles and his friends arrived on the side of

a hill above Strathchluaine, where, fixing upon a secure place of

retreat, they reposed till near three o’clock in the afternoon of the

following day, viz., 28th of July. They then continued their journey

along the hill-side; but they had not travelled above a mile when

they heard the firing of small arms on the hill above them, which

they judged to proceed from some of the troops who were engaged in

their usual occupation of shooting the people who had fled to the

mountains with their cattle and effects. To avoid these bloodhounds

the party took a northern route, and ascended a high hill between

the Braes of Glenmoriston and Strathglass. They reached the summit

of this mountain at a late hour, and sought repose for the night in

an open cave, in which they could neither lie nor sleep. They had no

fuel, and as they were wet to the skin with a heavy rain which fell

during the whole of the day, they passed a most uncomfortable night.

Charles felt himself very cold, and he endeavoured to warm himself by

smoking a pipe.

[Illustration: CHISHOLM. (Tartan)]

Resolving again to go to Pollew, Glenaladale’s brother and the

Glengarry man were despatched, about three o’clock in the morning

of the 29th, in quest of some trusty persons to conduct the prince

thither, and were appointed to meet Charles and the rest of the party

on the top of a neighbouring hill. Charles and his friends set off

about five o’clock, and, after a walk of two hours, reached the top

of the appointed hill, where they met the guide, who stated that

he was directed by some proper persons he had found out, to desire

Glenaladale to repair to a hill in the Braes of Glenmoriston, called

Corambian, where they promised to come at an appointed hour with some

victuals. The persons alluded to were a party of seven men, who,

having been engaged in the insurrection, had formed themselves into

a sort of predatory fraternity; intending, perhaps, to resume their

former habits of industry when the persecutions of the government

ceased. These had taken up their abode in a romantic cave on the side

of Corambian, and seldom removed to any considerable distance from

their rocky den, unless compelled by the necessity of providing for

their immediate wants.

As directed, Charles and his friends proceeded to Corambian, and when

they came near the cave, Glenaladale and the guide went forward,

leaving Charles and the other two Macdonalds at a little distance.

All the inmates of the den were present except one, and having killed

a sheep that day, had just sat down to dinner. Glenaladale said he

was glad to see them so well provided, and they invited him to sit

down and share with them. He then said he had a friend with him,

outside, for whom he must beg the same favour. Being asked by them

who the friend was, he answered that it was young Clanranald, his

chief. Nobody could be more welcome, they said, than the young chief;

and they added, that they were willing to purchase food for him at

the point of their swords. Glenaladale then left the cave and brought

in Charles, who, being immediately recognised by its residents, had

every respect shown him by these men, who fell on their knees before

him. It is almost unnecessary to add, that Charles, who had scarcely

tasted food for forty-eight hours, made ample amends for his long

fast. After dinner, Charles’s entertainers made up a bed for him of

ferns and tops of heath, on which he was soon lulled asleep by the

gentle murmurs of a purling stream that ran through the grotto close

to his bedside.

The dress which Charles wore at this time is thus described by Mr.

Home, who obtained his information from Hugh Chisholm, one of the

seven persons who were in the cave at the time Charles resided in

it.[1278] Upon his head he had a wretched yellow wig and a bonnet,

and about his neck a clouted handkerchief. He wore a coat of coarse,

dark-coloured cloth, a Stirling tartan vest, much worn, a pretty good

belted plaid, tartan hose, and Highland brogues tied with thongs, so

much worn that they would scarcely stick upon his feet. His shirt,

the only one he had, was of the colour of saffron. The inhabitants

of the cave had no change of dress to offer their guest; but an

incident occurred which enabled them to supply his wants. Hearing

that a detachment of government troops, under Lord George Sackville,

was marching from Fort-Augustus to Strathglass, and knowing that they

must pass at no great distance from their abode, the robbers resolved

to make an attempt upon their baggage. For this purpose they placed

themselves between two hills, near the road to Strathglass, where,

free from observation, they awaited the detachment. It soon appeared,

and after it had passed, the Highlanders fired at some officers’

servants, who were a considerable distance behind, and, rushing down

upon them, seized and carried off some portmanteaus, in which they

found every thing that Charles stood in need of.

The search for Charles, which had hitherto been pursued with the

most persevering assiduity, now began to slacken, in consequence

of an occurrence, which, it was supposed, rendered farther search

unnecessary. Among other persons who had joined Charles at Edinburgh,

there was a young man of respectable family, named Roderick

Mackenzie. He had served as one of the prince’s life-guards. Being

about the same age as Charles, tall and somewhat slender, like

the prince, and with features resembling, in some degree, those

of Charles, he might, with ordinary observers, who had not been

accustomed to see them together, have passed for the prince. As

he could not venture with safety to Edinburgh, where he had two

maiden sisters living, he fled to the Highlands after the battle of

Culloden, and, while skulking among the hills of Glenmoriston, was

surprised by a party of soldiers, about the middle of July. Mackenzie

endeavoured to escape; but being overtaken, he turned round upon his

pursuers, and, drawing his sword, bravely defended himself. He was

shot by one of the soldiers, and as he fell, he exclaimed, “You have

killed your prince! you have killed your prince!” and immediately

expired. Overjoyed at their supposed good fortune, the soldiers cut

off the young man’s head, and hurried to Fort-Augustus with their

prize. The Duke of Cumberland, convinced that he had got the head

of his relative, had it, it is said, packed up, and ordering a

post-chaise, went off to London, carrying the head along with him.

Shortly after his arrival, however, the deception, which had been of

essential service to Charles, was discovered.[1279]

Being pretty secure in Coiraghoth, as the cave was called, Charles

remained three days in this retreat, during which he recruited so

well that he considered himself able to encounter any hardships.

The whole party then shifted their quarters to another hill, about

two miles off, and took up their abode in another cave, on the

2d of August. After staying four days in their new dwelling they

were again obliged to shift, in consequence of information they

received, that one Campbell, a steward of Lord Seaforth and captain

of militia, had pitched his camp at a little distance, to graze a

large herd of cattle. Leaving one of their party behind to watch

Campbell’s motions, they set off in a northerly direction, and

travelled to the heights of Strathglass. Charles was conducted to a

sheep-cot, in which a bed was made up for him, consisting of turf,

with the grass-side uppermost, and a pillow of the same. He remained

in this hovel three days, during which an express was sent to

Pollew, to ascertain whether a report which had reached him of some

French vessels having been seen off the coast, was correct. On the

supposition that the report would turn out to be well founded, the

party followed the express, and crossing along the moor, put up at

another shieling for the night, and about twelve o’clock, next day,

August the 10th, arrived at a place called Glencanna, and passing the

day in a neighbouring wood, repaired at night to a village hard by.

About two o’clock next morning they scrambled up a hill on the north

side of Glencanna, and sending off two of their number to forage

for provisions, they waited two days in a neighbouring shieling for

the return of their messenger from Pollew. The express arrived, and

brought notice that a French ship had been upon the coast, and had

landed two gentlemen, who had gone to Lochiel’s country in quest

of the prince. In expectation of meeting these gentlemen, Charles

resolved to retrace his steps.

Upon the 13th of August they crossed the water of Casina, and

passing near the house of young Chisholm, arrived at a place called

Fassanacoil in Strathglass, about two o’clock in the morning.

They concealed themselves in a thick wood, and some of the party

were despatched as scouts to the Braes of Glengarry and Lochaber,

to ascertain whether the search for the prince was over, and if

the troops had returned to their camp at Fort-Augustus. Having

ascertained on the return of their spies that the government troops

had returned to their head-quarters, the whole party left the wood,

where they had remained three days, and, on the morning of the 17th

of August, set out through an unfrequented road, and again reached

the Braes of Glenmoriston. Passing the day on the top of a hill,

they continued their journey at night; but they had gone scarcely a

mile, when they received information that a strong party of military

were among the heights of Glengarry in quest of the prince. They,

therefore, stopped short in their journey till they should ascertain

the motions of the enemy, and passed the remainder of the night in a

shieling.

Charles being now extremely desirous of opening a communication

with his friends in Lochaber, which was by this time almost free

from troops, despatched two messengers on the morning of the 18th

of August to Loch Arkaig in quest of Cameron of Clunes, to inform

him that Glenaladale wished to meet him at a convenient place.

Another of the party was, at the same time, sent to the Braes of

Glengarry to ascertain if the troops were still in that quarter.

Having ascertained, by the return of this messenger, who came

back next day, that the roads were clear, Charles and his party,

consisting altogether of ten persons, set out in the afternoon of

the 19th, and passing under the favour of a fog through Glenmoriston

and Glenlyne, arrived late at night in the Braes of Glengarry. The

river Garry was swollen to a great height by the heavy rains which

had fallen for some days; but some of the party having ascertained

that it was fordable, Charles and his friends waded across with the

water up to their middle. After passing the river, they proceeded

onward about a mile in a very dark night, and finding no covert,

remained on the side of the hill during the night, without shelter,

amid a torrent of rain. Next morning they continued their course

over hills and moors till they reached a height near a place called

Achnasalt, or Achnasual, where the messengers sent to Loch Arkaig

had been appointed to meet them. The rain having poured down without

intermission all night and during the day, the situation of these

forlorn wanderers had become very uncomfortable; and, to add to their

distress, their whole stock of provision was exhausted. As none of

the messengers had arrived, they were exceedingly perplexed what to

do; but they were soon relieved from their anxiety by the appearance

of Peter Grant, one of the most active of the seven men, who brought

notice from Cameron of Clunes that he could not meet Glenaladale

that night, but that he would visit him at the appointed place of

rendezvous next morning, and in the meantime directed him to pass

the night in a wood about two miles distant. Before setting out for

their new quarters, of which they received a favourable report from

two of the party, who were sent to examine the place, Glenaladale,

with the consent of the prince, sent a messenger to Lochgarry, who

lay concealed a few miles off, acquainting him with their arrival

at Achnasual, and requesting him to meet them in the wood. After

entering the wood, fortune threw a buck in their way, which one of

the party immediately shot. Having kindled a fire, they roasted the

flesh, and made a hearty meal, but without bread or salt. Lochgarry

joined them the same night.

At ten o’clock next morning, August the 15th, Cameron of Clunes came

to the wood, and conducted Charles to another forest at the foot of

Loch Arkaig, in which he lay all night. With the exception of Hugh

Chisholm and Peter Grant, all the Glenmoriston men took their leave.

Charles expressed a wish to go to Rannoch, or Badenoch, where Lochiel

and Cluny were; but upon Clunes informing him that he could not pass

without great danger, as all the ferries were strictly guarded, he

gave up his design, and, early next morning, sent a messenger to

Lochiel, desiring his attendance. Concluding that Charles was to the

north of the lakes, these chiefs had, about this period, sent Dr.

Cameron and the Rev. John Cameron by different routes, to obtain

information respecting the prince. On arriving within a few miles of

the place where Lochiel was, Charles’s messenger met the Doctor and

the two French officers who had lately landed. As the messenger was

desired to communicate no information about Charles to any person

but Lochiel himself, he declined to answer any questions respecting

the prince; but having stated that he had business of the utmost

importance with Lochiel, the Doctor conducted him to his brother.

Lochiel being unable, from the state of his wounds, to travel to a

distance, then sent his brother to wait upon the prince, and to make

his apology.

Dr. Cameron, accompanied by two servants, arrived at the foot of Loch

Arkaig on the 19th of August, and when near the place of Charles’s

concealment, he met Cameron of Clunes. At this time Charles and one

of Clunes’s sons were sleeping on the mountain, and Peter Grant was

keeping watch; but, nodding upon his post, Grant did not observe

the approach of the party till they were pretty near. He instantly

awaked Charles and his companion. Cameron and Grant proposed that

they should flee to the top of the mountain, but Charles thought

differently. He said he considered there was more danger in

attempting to escape than in remaining where they were; and he

proposed that they should take up a position behind some stones, take

aim, and fire upon the party when they came nearer. He said that,

as Grant and he were good marksmen, they would certainly do some

execution, and that he had in reserve a brace of pocket pistols,

which, for the first time, he produced. Fortunately, however, before

a single shot was fired, the person of Clunes was recognised among

the party. The joy of Charles and of young Cameron, at the narrow

escape which the friends of the one and the father of the other had

made, may be easily conceived. When informed by Dr. Cameron that

Lochiel was well, and almost recovered of his wounds, the prince

expressed the unbounded satisfaction he felt by fervently returning

thanks to God three times. The appearance of Charles at this time was

singular, and even terrific. He was bare-footed, and his beard had

grown to a great length. He wore a dirty shirt, an old black tartan

coat, a plaid, and a philibeg, carried a musket in his hand, and wore

a pistol and dirk by his side. Had he not had one of the best and

soundest constitutions ever enjoyed by a prince, he must ere this

have fallen a victim to the numerous privations he had suffered; but

his health remained unimpaired, and his flow of spirits continued.

His companions had killed a cow on the present occasion, and when

Dr. Cameron arrived a part of it was preparing for dinner. Charles

partook heartily of the beef, which was seasoned by a supply of bread

from Fort-Augustus, a commodity to which he had been for some time

unaccustomed.

Next day the party went to a wood called Torvuilt, opposite to

Achnacarry, where they held a council. Charles now proposed to go

south, and join Lochiel; but one of the party mentioning that he

had seen a paragraph in some newspapers, that had been brought

from Fort-Augustus, which stated that he and Lochiel had passed

Corryarrick with 30 men, he judged it advisable to defer his journey

for a few days, as a search might be made for him about that

mountain. In the meantime it was agreed that Dr. Cameron should visit

Lochaber to procure intelligence, and that Lochgarry should go to

the east end of Loch Lochy, and remain upon the isthmus between the

lakes, to watch the motions of the troops. They accordingly left

Charles the same day, and Cameron and Clunes, after conducting the

prince and his party to another hut in the neighbourhood, also took

leave.

Charles remained eight days in the neighbourhood of Achnacarry.

Having expressed a strong desire to see the French officers who

had landed at Pollew, they were brought to him. These gentlemen

had come from Dunkirk in a small vessel, with 60 others, who had

formed themselves into a company of volunteers under these two

officers. Two of the volunteers landed along with the officers,

and were taken prisoners. One of them, named Fitzgerald, a Spanish

officer, was hanged at Fort William, on the ground of having been a

spy in Flanders, and the other, a M. de Berard, a French officer,

was afterwards exchanged upon the cartel. The officers fell in with

Mr. Alexander Macleod, one of Charles’s aides-de-camp, to whom

they delivered some despatches they had brought over to the French

ambassador, and they continued to wander in Seaforth’s country till

Lochgarry, hearing that they had letters to the prince, sent a

Captain Macraw and his own servant to find them out and bring them to

Lochiel, as the prince could not be found. When brought to Lochiel,

he suspected them to be government spies. On Charles expressing his

wish to see these officers, the Rev. John Cameron, who had lately

joined, told him what his brother Lochiel thought of them, and

advised him to act with great caution. The prince confessed that

it appeared a very suspicious circumstance, that two men, without

knowing a word of Gaelic, and being perfect strangers in the country,

should have escaped so long if they were not really spies; but as

they had told Lochiel that they had never seen the prince, he thought

that he might see them safely by a stratagem, without being known

to them. He therefore wrote them a letter to this effect:--that, in

order to avoid falling into his enemies’ hands, he had been under the

necessity of retiring to a distant part of the country, where he had

no person with him except one Captain Drummond and a servant, and,

as he could not remove from the place of his concealment without

danger, he had sent Captain Drummond with the letter; and as he

could repose entire confidence in him, he desired them to deliver

any message they had to Drummond. This letter the prince proposed to

deliver himself, as Captain Drummond, and the officers being sent

for, were introduced to him under his assumed name. He delivered them

the letter, which they perused, and he then obtained from them all

the information they had to communicate, which, as his affairs then

stood, was of little importance. They remained with him two days, and

put many questions about the prince’s health, his manner of living,

&c. Thinking the packet they had delivered to Mr. Macleod might be of

use, Charles sent for it; but as the letters were in cipher he could

make nothing of them, not having the key.

About this time Charles made a very narrow escape, under the

following circumstances. Information having been sent to the camp

at Fort-Augustus that Charles or some of his principal adherents

were in the neighbourhood of Loch Arkaig, a party was despatched

in quest of them. One of Clunes’s sons and Cameron the minister

had gone to the strath of Clunes to obtain intelligence, and had

entered a hut which Clunes had built for his family after his house

had been burnt. They had not, however, been half-an-hour within,

when a little girl came running into the house, in great haste, and

said that she saw some soldiers approaching. At first they thought

that the child was mistaken, as Lochgarry had promised to place a

guard between Fort-Augustus and Clunes, to give intelligence of the

approach of troops; but going out of the house, they found that the

girl was correct in her information. It was then about eight o’clock

in the morning, and the prince, with one of Clunes’s sons and Peter

Grant, was sleeping in a hut on the face of the hill on the other

side of the water of Kaig, about a mile from Clunes’s hut. Whilst old

Cameron, therefore, remained to watch the motions of this party, one

of his sons and the minister went off to arouse Charles. Crossing

the water under cover of the wood, they came within pistol-shot

of the soldiers, who proceeded down into the strath. When awaked

and informed of his danger, Charles, with great composure, called

for his gun, and, looking down the vale, saw a number of soldiers

demolishing Clunes’s hut and searching the adjacent woods.[1280]

Charles and his attendants immediately resolved to remove to a

distance, and to conceal their flight, ascended the hill along the

channel of a torrent which the winter rains had worn in the face of

the mountain. Clearing this hill without being seen, they proceeded

to another mountain, called Mullentagart, of a prodigious height, and

very steep and craggy. They remained all day on this hill without

a morsel of food. One of Clunes’s sons came to them about twelve

o’clock at night with some whisky, bread, and cheese, and told them

that his father would meet them at a certain place in the hills, at

a considerable distance, with provisions, and the young man returned

to let his father know that he might expect them. Charles and his

attendants set out for the appointed place at night, and travelled

through most dreadful ways, amongst rocks and stumps of trees,

which tore their clothes and limbs. Such were the difficulties they

encountered, that the guides proposed to halt and rest till the

morning, but Charles, though exceedingly exhausted, insisted on going

on, that they might not break their appointment with Clunes. Worn

out at last with fatigue and want of food, the prince was not able

to proceed farther without assistance. Though almost in the same

situation themselves, the Highlanders offered him their aid, and two

of them laying hold each of an arm, supported him till he arrived at

the end of this very laborious journey. They met Clunes and his son,

who had already killed a cow and dressed a part of it for their use.

Charles remained in this remote place with his companions till the

arrival of Lochgarry and Dr. Cameron. They informed him that they had

been with Lochiel and Cluny, and that it had been concerted among

them that the prince should come to their asylum for some time; and

they added, that Cluny would meet his Royal Highness at Auchnacarry,

on a certain day, in order to conduct him to Badenoch. Being also

informed by them that the passes were not so strictly guarded as

formerly, Charles crossed Loch Arkaig, and took up his abode in a fir

wood belonging to Lochiel, on the west side of the lake, to wait the

arrival of Cluny. Impatient to see two such tried friends as Lochiel

and Cluny, Charles would not wait for Cluny’s coming to Auchnacarry,

but set out for Badenoch with such guides as he had. Next day

Charles arrived at a place called Corinauir, in Badenoch, where he

passed the night. Cluny had passed on to Auchnacarry the same day by

another way. Lochiel, who had skulked in his own country about two

months, had sought an asylum among the Braes of Rannoch, where he was

attended by Sir Stewart Thriepland, an Edinburgh physician, for the

cure of the wounds he had received in his ancles. On the 20th of June

they fell in with Macpherson of Cluny, who conducted them to a more

secure retreat on Benalder, a hill of immense circumference, on his

own property, on the borders of Rannoch. Lochiel, who had since that

time lived on this mountain with his friend Cluny, was now residing

in a small miserable hovel on the side of the hill, at a place called

Mellenauir, or Millanuir, attended by Macpherson of Breakachie, Allan

Cameron, his principal servant, and two servants of Cluny.

[Illustration: Dr. Archibald Cameron, from rare print in the Burney

Collection in British Museum.]

On the morning of the 30th of August, Charles, accompanied by

Lochgarry, Dr. Cameron and two servants, set out for Mellenauir.

They were all armed, and on approaching the hut they were mistaken

by Lochiel for a party of militia, who, he supposed, had been sent

out in search of him from a camp a few miles off. From the lameness

in his feet, Lochiel was not in a condition to attempt an escape,

but there seemed to be little danger, as both parties were equal in

point of numbers, and the party in the hut had this advantage, that

they could fire their first volley without being observed, and as

they had a considerable quantity of fire arms, they could discharge

another volley or two before the advancing party could reload their

pieces. The danger to which Charles and his friends were now exposed

was greater than that which Dr. Cameron and Clunes had run, as, on

the present occasion, the party in the hut, resolving to receive

their supposed enemies with a general discharge of all the firearms,

had actually planted and levelled their pieces; but happily for

Charles and his friends, they were recognised just as Lochiel and his

attendants were about giving their fire. Upon making this fortunate

discovery Lochiel left the hut, and, though very lame, went forward

to meet the prince. On coming up to Charles, Lochiel was about to

kneel, but Charles prevented him, and clapping him on the shoulder,

said, “Oh no, my dear Lochiel, we do not know who may be looking

from the top of yonder hills, and if they see any such motions they

will immediately conclude that I am here.” Charles always considered

Lochiel as one of his best friends, and placed the greatest

confidence in him; and the generous chief showed, by his unbounded

attachment to the prince, that this confidence was not misplaced. The

meeting, therefore, of two such friends, after so many perils and

escapes, was extremely joyous.

After they had recovered from the first transports of their joy,

Lochiel conducted Charles into the hut, where the latter beheld a

sight to which his eyes had not been accustomed for many months.

Besides abundance of mutton, the hut contained an anchor of

whisky, of twenty Scotch pints, some good dried beef sausages, a

large well-cured bacon ham, and plenty of butter and cheese. On

entering the prince took a hearty dram, and drank to the health of

his friends. Some minced collops were then prepared for him with

butter in a large saucepan, which Lochiel and Cluny always carried

about with them, being the only fire-vessel they had. The pan was

set before Charles with a silver spoon. He took this repast with

great gusto, and was so delighted with this little change in his

circumstances, that he could not help exclaiming, with a cheerful

countenance, “Now, gentlemen, I live like a prince.” After dinner

he asked Lochiel if he had always fared so well during his retreat.

“Yes, Sir,” answered Lochiel; “for near three months past I have been

hereabout with my cousin Cluny; he has provided for me so well that

I have had plenty of such as you see, and I thank Heaven your Royal

Highness has got through so many dangers to take a part.” Finding,

on his arrival at Auchnacarry, that Charles had departed with his

friends for Badenoch, Cluny had retraced his steps, and he reached

Mellenauir two days after Charles’s arrival there. On entering the

hut Cluny would have kneeled before Charles, but the prince prevented

him, and giving him a kiss, said, “I am sorry, Cluny, you and your

regiment were not at Culloden: I did not hear till very lately that

you were so near us that day.”

The day after his return to Mellenauir, Cluny, thinking it time to

remove to another retreat, conducted the prince and his attendants

to a little shieling called Uiskchibra, about two miles farther into

Benalder. This hut was very bad and extremely smoky; but Charles

accommodated himself, as he had always done, to circumstances. After

passing two nights in this miserable abode, he was conducted to a

very extraordinary and romantic habitation, called the Cage, which

Cluny had fitted up for Charles’s reception. From the description

given by Cluny of this remarkable retreat, it will be seen how well

adapted it was for the purpose of concealment.

“It was,” says Donald Macpherson, “situated in the face of a very

rough, high, and rocky mountain, called Letternilichk, still a part

of Benalder, full of great stones and crevices, and some scattered

wood interspersed. The habitation called the Cage, in the face of

that mountain, was within a small thick bush of wood. There were

first some rows of trees laid down, in order to level a floor for the

habitation; and as the place was steep, this raised the lower side to

an equal height with the other; and these trees, in the way of joists

or planks, were levelled with earth and gravel. There were betwixt

the trees, growing naturally on their own roots, some stakes fixed in

the earth, which, with the trees, were interwoven with ropes, made

of heath and birch twigs, up to the top of the Cage, it being of a

round or rather oval shape; and the whole thatched and covered over

with fog. This whole fabric hung, as it were, by a large tree, which

reclined from the one end all along the roof to the other, and which

gave it the name of the Cage; and by chance there happened to be two

stones at a small distance from one another, in the side next the

precipice, resembling the pillars of a chimney, where the fire was

placed. The smoke had its vent out here, all along the face of the

rock, which was so much of the same colour, that one could discover

no difference in the clearest day. The Cage was no larger than to

contain six or seven persons; four of whom were frequently employed

playing at cards, one idle looking out, one baking, and another

firing bread and cooking.”[1281]

Charles’s deliverance was now nearer at hand than he or his friends

probably expected. Several small vessels had arrived on the west

coast, from time to time, to carry him off to France; but the

persons in charge of these not being able to find him had returned

home. Charles knew this, and now that he was able to keep up a

communication with his friends, he took care to provide against a

similar recurrence. He was at a considerable distance from the coast,

but matters were so concerted that, if a French vessel appeared, he

could easily get the intelligence. There were some of his partizans

skulking near the west coast, who, though they did not know where

he himself was, had instructions to convey the news to others who

were concealed in the interior, who would again communicate it to

persons in the knowledge of the prince’s place of retreat. For some

time Colonel Warren, of Dillon’s regiment, had been exerting himself

to induce the French government to fit out an expedition to rescue

Charles from his toils. He at last succeeded in procuring two vessels

of war, L’Heureux and La Princesse de Conti, with which he departed

from St. Malo about the end of August. In the event of his bringing

the prince safe away, the Chevalier de St. George had promised to

make him a Knight Baronet, a dignity which he afterwards conferred

upon him.[1282]

These vessels arrived in Lochnanuagh early in September, and Captain

Sheridan, a son of Sir Thomas Sheridan, and a Mr. O’Beirne, a

lieutenant in the French service, immediately landed and waited upon

Glenaladale, who, they were informed, knew where Charles was. This

faithful friend, happy at the prospect of escape which now offered,

set off the same night for the place where he expected to find

Charles, to communicate to him the agreeable intelligence; but to his

great sorrow he found the prince gone, and he could fall in with no

person who could give him the least information of his route. Clunes,

from whom Glenaladale expected to get tidings of Charles, had, in

consequence of the destruction of his hut, gone to another quarter,

and was not to be found. Whilst ruminating over his disappointment,

a poor woman accidentally came to the place where he was, and he had

the good fortune to ascertain from her the place of Clunes’s retreat.

Having found him out, he and Clunes instantly despatched a messenger

to Charles with the joyful intelligence; and Glenaladale then

returned to Lochnanuagh, to notify to Colonel Warren that Charles

might be speedily expected in that quarter.

The messenger arrived at Benalder on the 13th of September, on which

day Charles left his romantic abode, and, after taking leave of

Cluny, set off on his journey for the coast, accompanied by Lochiel

and others. He at the same time sent off confidential messengers

in different directions, to acquaint such of his friends as he

could reach, announcing the arrival of the ships, that they might

have an opportunity of joining him if inclined. As Charles and his

friends travelled only by night, they did not reach Borodale, the

place of embarkation, till the 19th. On the road Charles was joined

by Lochgarry, John Roy Stewart, Dr. Cameron, and other gentlemen

who intended to accompany him to France. Besides these, many others

had left their different hiding places on hearing of the arrival of

the French vessels, and had repaired to the coast of Moidart, also

waiting for the arrival of him for whose sake they had forfeited

their lives, intending to adopt the bitter alternative of bidding an

eternal adieu to their native land. The number of persons assembled

was about a hundred.

The career of Charles in the hereditary dominions of his ancestors

was now ended. Attended by seven persons only, he had, with daring

hardihood, landed about fourteen months before on the spot where he

was destined to depart as a fugitive, and, with a handful of men, had

raised the standard of insurrection and set the whole power of the

government at open defiance. The early part of his progress had been

brilliant. With a few thousand undisciplined mountaineers, he had

overrun land, in the face of three hostile armies, had carried dismay

to the capital. The retreat from Derby, the merit of which belongs to

Lord George Murray exclusively, quieted for a time the apprehensions

of the government; but the defeat at Falkirk again convinced it that

the succession settlement was still in danger; and that, perhaps, at

no distant day, the young and daring adventurer might place the son

of James II. upon the throne from which his father had been expelled.

Even after his retreat to Inverness, the supporters of the house of

Hanover could have no assurance that the Duke of Cumberland’s army

might not share the fate of its predecessors, in which event the

new dynasty would probably have ceased to reign; but the triumphs

of Charles were at an end, and the fatal field of Culloden, after

witnessing the bravery of his troops, became the grave of his hopes.

Then commenced that series of extraordinary adventures and wonderful

escapes, of which some account has been given, and which could

scarcely have been credited had they not been authenticated beyond

the possibility of dispute. During the brilliant part of his career

Charles had displayed great moderation and forbearance; and though

his spirits sank when compelled to retreat, yet in the hour of

adversity, when beset with perils and exposed to privations which few

princes could have endured, he exhibited uncommon fortitude, strength

of mind, and cheerfulness.

In his wanderings Charles laid down a rule to himself, to which

he scrupulously adhered, never to intrust any person from whom

he was about to depart with the secret of his route, so that,

with the exception of the few friends who were about him for the

time being, none of those to whom he had been formerly indebted

for his preservation knew the place of his retreat. This was a

wise precaution, but was attended with this disadvantage, that it

prevented him from acquiring early information of the arrival of the

French vessels upon the coast. But no means he was able to take for

his own security could have saved him, had he not had a guarantee

in the incorruptible fidelity of the persons into whose hands he

committed himself. At the risk of their own destruction they extended

to him the aid of their protection, and relieved his necessities.

Many of these persons were of desperate fortunes, and there were

others in the lowest ranks of life; yet, among nearly 200 persons to

whom Charles must have been known during the five months he wandered

as a fugitive, not one ever offered to betray him, though they knew

that a price of £30,000 was set upon his head. History nowhere

presents such a splendid instance of disinterested attachment to an

unfortunate family.

Accompanied by Lochiel, Lochgarry, John Roy Stewart, Dr. Cameron,

and a considerable number of other adherents, Charles departed from

Lochnanuagh on the 20th of September, and had a favourable passage to

the coast of France, where he landed on Monday the 29th of September.

He immediately proceeded to Morlaix, whence he despatched Colonel

Warren the same day to Paris, to announce his arrival to the French

court. He also sent at the same time a letter to his brother Henry,

to the same effect, and enclosed a similar one to his father.

FOOTNOTES:

[1240] _Lockhart Papers_, vol. ii. p 541.

[1241] Macleod’s Narrative in _Jacobite Memoirs_.

[1242] _Lockhart Papers_, vol. ii. p. 541. _Kirkconnel MS._

[1243] _Kirkconnel MS._

[1244] Macleod’s Narrative.

[1245] _Genuine and True Journal_, p. 16.

[1246] O’Neil’s, Burke’s, and Macleod’s Narratives, in _Jacobite

Memoirs_. Macleod was taken prisoner a few days afterwards in

Benbecula, by Lieutenant Allan Macdonald, of Knock, in Sleat, in the

island of Skye. He was put on board the Furnace, and brought down to

the cabin before General Campbell, who examined him most minutely.

The general asked him if he had been along with the Pretender?

“Yes,” said Donald, “I was along with that young gentleman, and I

winna deny it.” “Do you know,” said the general, “what money was

upon that gentleman’s head?--No less a sum than thirty thousand

pounds sterling, which would have made you and your family happy for

ever.” “What then?” replied Donald, “what though I had gotten it? I

could not have enjoyed it for two days. Conscience would have gotten

the better of me; and although I could have gotten all England and

Scotland for my pains, I would not have allowed a hair of his body

to be touched if I could hinder it, since he threw himself upon my

care.” Campbell observed that he could not much blame him. Donald

was sent to London, but released on the 10th of June, 1747. When

he arrived in Leith from London, on his return to Skye, he had no

money to carry him thither; but his wants were supplied by the Rev.

Robert (afterwards bishop) Forbes, an episcopal clergyman in Leith,

who set a subscription on foot in that town, and in Edinburgh, “to

make out,” as the bishop says, “for honest Palinurus, if possible, a

pound sterling, for every week he had served the prince in distress;

and,” continues the worthy bishop, “I thank God I was so happy as to

accomplish my design directly.” In acknowledgment of his fidelity,

Donald was presented by Mr. John Walkinshaw of London, with a

large silver snuff-box, handsomely chased, and doubly gilt in the

inside. Upon the lid of this box there was the representation of

an eight-oared boat, with Donald at the helm, and the eight rowers

making their way through a very rough and tempestuous sea. The Long

island is seen in the distance upon one of the extremities of the

lid, and the boat appears to be just steering into Rossinish, the

point of Benbecula where Charles landed after leaving Lochnanuagh.

On the other end of the lid there was a landscape of the end of the

isle of Skye, as it appears opposite to the Long island, on which

the sites of Dunvegan and Gualtergill are marked. The clouds were

represented as heavy and lowering, and the rain descending; and

above the clouds, i.e., near the hinge, the following motto was

engraved:--“Olim hæc meminisse juvabit. Aprilis 26to, 1746.” Upon the

bottom, and near the edge of the lid, was this inscription,--“Quid

Neptune, paras? Fatis agitamur iniquis.” The following words were

engraved on the bottom of the box:--“Donald Macleod of Gualtergill,

in the isle of Skye, the faithful Palinurus, æt. 68, 1746.” Below

which there was a representation of a dove with an olive branch in

its bill. Donald never put any snuff into this box, and when asked

the cause by Mr. Forbes, he exclaimed, “Sneeshin in that box! Na,

the diel a pickle sneeshin shall ever go into it till the King be

restored; and then, I trust in God, I’ll go to London, and then I

will put sneeshin in the box, and go to the Prince, and say, ‘Sir,

will you take a sneeshin out o’ my box?’”--_Jacobite Memoirs._

Burke, the other trust-worthy individual, who was a native of North

Uist, skulked about the hill of Eval, in his native island, for seven

weeks, living part of the time on sea-weed and limpets. He afterwards

took refuge in a cave, and, when the troubles had subsided, went to

Edinburgh, where, unheeded, he spent the remainder of his days as a

sedan-carrier or chairman.

[1247] Flora Macdonald’s Narrative. Home’s Works, vol. iii. App. No.

45.

[1248] Father of the well-known Marshal Macdonald, Duke of Tarentum.

[1249] The letter by Armadale to his wife, was as follows:--

“I have sent your daughter from this country lest she should be any

way frightened with the troops lying here. She has got one Betty

Burke, an Irish girl, who, as she tells me, is a good spinster. If

her spinning pleases you, you may keep her till she spin all your

lint; or, if you have any wool to spin, you may employ her. I have

sent Neil Mackechan along with your daughter, and Betty Burke to

take care of them.--I am your dutiful husband,

“HUGH MACDONALD.”

“_June 22, 1746._”

It has been suspected that Armadale was privy to his step-daughter’s

design.

[1250] _Kirkconnel MS._

[1251] Soon after this occurrence, Lady Clanranald was taken

prisoner, and sent to London. On 1st November, Clanranald, and

Boisdale his brother were also apprehended, and shipped for London.

They were discharged in the month of June following.

[1252] A few days after parting with Charles, this trusty officer

being betrayed by a person in whom he had confided, was taken

prisoner. Being brought before Captain Ferguson, and refusing to give

any information about the prince, he was stripped, ordered to be

put into a rack, and to be whipt. When the last part of this order

was about to be executed, he was saved from the intended ignominy

by a lieutenant of the Scotch Fusileers, who, drawing his sword,

threatened Ferguson with his vengeance if he used an officer in such

an infamous manner. O’Neil says that, four days after he was taken,

General Campbell sent him word, upon his parole of honour, that if

he had any money or effects in the country, and would send them to

him, they should be safe; and that as he had always imagined that the

word of honour was as sacredly kept in the English army as in others,

he went with a detachment for his money and gold watch, which he had

hid among the rocks; that he sent to General Campbell by Captain

Campbell of Skipness, 450 guineas, his gold watch, broadsword and

pistols; but that although he repeatedly applied to him to return him

his property, he never obtained it!--O’Neil’s Narrative in _Jacobite

Memoirs_.

[1253] Roy Macdonald’s Narrative among the _Forbes Papers_.

[1254] _Genuine and True Journal_, p. 29.

[1255] “Donald Macleod said the prince used to smoke a great deal

of tobacco; and as in his wanderings from place to place the pipes

behoved to break and turn into short _cutties_, he used to take

quills, and putting one into another, ‘and all,’ said Donald, ‘into

the end of the _cutty_, this served to make it long enough, and the

tobacco to smoke cool.’ Donald added, that he never knew, in all his

life, any one better at finding out a shift than the prince was, when

he happened to be at a pinch, and that the prince would sometimes

sing them a song to keep up their hearts.”--_Jacobite Memoirs_, p.

401.

[1256] Boswell’s _Tour_.

[1257] When Dr. Johnson visited Kingsburgh, in company with Mr.

Boswell, in 1774, he slept in the same bed that Charles had occupied

twenty-eight years before. “To see (says Boswell) Dr. Samuel Johnson

in that bed, in the isle of Skye, in the house of Miss Flora

Macdonald, struck me with such a group of ideas, as it is not easy

for words to describe, as they passed through the mind. He smiled

and said, ‘I have had no ambitious thoughts in it.’”--_Tour to the

Hebrides._

[1258] Donald Roy’s Narrative among the _Forbes Papers_.

[1259] Donald Roy’s Narrative.

[1260] Macleod’s _Narrative_.

[1261] Boswell’s _Tour_.

[1262] “John Mackenzie is alive (in 1774); I saw him at Raasay’s

house. About eighteen years ago he hurt one of his legs when dancing,

and being obliged to have it cut off, he now was going about with a

wooden leg. The story of his being a _Member of Parliament_ is not

yet forgotten. I took him out a little way from the house, gave him a

shilling to drink Raasay’s health, and led him into a detail of the

particulars which I have just related. With less foundation, some

writers have traced the idea of a Parliament, and of the British

Constitution in rude and early times. I was curious to know if he

had really heard or understood any thing of that subject, which, had

he been a greater man, would probably have been eagerly maintained.

‘Why, John,’ said I, ‘did you think he should be controlled by a

Parliament?’ He answered, ‘I thought, Sir, there were many voices

against one.’”--_Boswell._

[1263] Idem, p. 227. _Jacobite Memoirs_, p. 270.

[1264] Boswell’s _Tour_.

[1265] _Jacobite Memoirs_, p. 478.

[1266] _Jacobite Memoirs_, pp. 477-8.

[1267] Idem. p. 480.

[1268] _Jacobite Memoirs_, p. 482. Boswell, in his _Tour_, gives a

different version of this story. “After this (breakfast) there came

in an old woman, who, after the mode of ancient hospitality, brought

warm water, and washed Malcolm’s feet. He desired her to wash the

feet of the poor man who attended him. She at first seemed averse to

this from pride, as thinking him beneath her, and in the periphrastic

language of the Highlanders and the Irish, said warmly, ‘Though I

wash your father’s son’s feet, why should I wash his father’s son’s

feet?’ She was, however, persuaded to do it.”

[1269] The following is a copy of the note:--

“SIR,--I thank God I am in good health, and have got off as

designed. Remember me to all friends, and thank them for the

trouble they have been at.--I am, Sir, your humble servant.

“JAMES THOMSON.”

“ELLIGHIUL, _July 4th, 1746_.”

[1270] This ‘cutty,’ as a small tobacco-pipe, almost worn to the

stump, is called in Scotland, was presented by Malcolm, when at

London, to Dr. Burton of York, a fellow-prisoner, who got a fine

shagreen case made for it.--_Jacobite Memoirs_, p. 487. Mr. Boswell

gives the following sketch of this worthy Highlander in his Tour to

the Hebrides: “He was now (1774) sixty-two years of age, hale and

well proportioned, with a manly countenance, tanned by the weather,

yet having a ruddiness in his cheeks, over a great part of which his

rough beard extended. His eye was quick and lively, yet his look was

not fierce; but he appeared at once firm and good-humoured. He wore

a pair of brogues, tartan hose which came up nearly to his knees,

a purple camblet kilt, a black waistcoat, a short green cloth coat

bound with gold cord, a yellow bushy wig, a large blue bonnet with a

gold thread button. I never saw a figure which gave a more perfect

representation of a Highland gentleman. I wished much to have a

picture of him just as he was. I found him frank and polite in the

true sense of the word.”

[1271] True Journal, p. 47.

[1272] The subsequent history of the estimable Flora Macdonald may

be stated in a few words. After her return to Skye, she married,

in 1750, young Macdonald of Kingsburgh, whom she accompanied to

North Carolina, America, probably in 1774. Young Kingsburgh joined

the Royal Highland Emigrant Regiment, embodied in 1775, but was

taken prisoner in 1776 and committed to Halifax gaol. He afterwards

served with the regiment in Canada, holding the rank of captain,

and, at the close of the war, returned to Scotland on half-pay.

The vessel in which Flora and her husband sailed was attacked by

a French privateer, and while Flora, with characteristic spirit,

stood on deck, animating the seamen, she was thrown down and had

her arm broken. The wanderers, however, arrived in Skye, and never

afterwards left it. Flora died on the 4th of March 1790, aged

68, and was interred in the churchyard of Kilmuir, in a spot set

apart for the graves of the Kingsburgh family. Kingsburgh died on

the 20th September 1795. Flora had seven children--five sons and

two daughters; the sons all became officers in the army, and the

daughters officers’ wives. Dr. Johnson and Boswell visited Skye in

the autumn of 1773, and were entertained at Kingsburgh house by Flora

and her husband. Flora, then aged about 51, is described by Johnson

as a woman of middle stature, soft features, gentle manners, and

elegant presence; and by Boswell as “a little woman, of a genteel

appearance, and uncommonly mild and well-bred.”--See Carruthers’

Edition of Boswell’s _Tour to the Hebrides_, p. 143.

[1273] _Jacobite Memoirs_, pp. 488-90, 492.

[1274] _Jacobite Memoirs_, p. 494.

[1275] Author of the Journal and Memoirs, printed among the Lockhart

papers, beginning at p. 579.

[1276] Mr. Home mentions an interview with one Macraw in the Braes

of Kintail, which is not even alluded to in the narrative of the

prince’s escape, drawn up by Glenaladale and others, and printed

among the _Lockhart Papers_. If such an interview took place, its

omission can only be fairly accounted for by supposing that the

writer of that part of the narrative (Captain Alexander Macdonald, a

younger brother of the Laird of Dallely,) was not aware of it. The

following is Mr. Home’s account of this affair:--

“After having crossed the line of posts, Glenaladale, thinking

the West Highlands a very unsafe place for Charles, resolved to

conduct him to the Ross-shire Highlands, amongst those Mackenzies

who remained loyal, and therefore were not visited with troops.

These Mackenzies, Glenaladale thought, would not betray Charles;

and the person whom he had pitched upon to confide in was Sir

Alexander Mackenzie of Coul. Charles and his attendants, setting

out for Ross-shire on foot, suffered greatly in their journey from

want of provisions; and when they came to the Braes of Kintail,

inhabited by the Macraws, a barbarous people, among whom there are

but few gentlemen, necessity obliged them to call at the house of

one Christopher Macraw. Glenaladale, leaving Charles and the French

officer at some distance, went to Macraw’s house, and told him that

he and two of his friends were like to perish for want of food,

and desired him to furnish them with some victuals, for which they

would pay. Macraw insisted upon knowing who his two friends were,

which Glenaladale seemed unwilling to tell. Macraw still insisted,

and Glenaladale told him at last that it was young Clan Ronald and

a relation of his. Notwithstanding the consequence of the persons,

Macraw, though rich for an ordinary Highlander, made Glenaladale pay

very dear for some provisions he gave him. Having received the money,

he grew better humoured, and desired Glenaladale and the other two

to pass the night in his house, which they did. In the course of the

conversation they talked of the times, and Macraw exclaimed against

the Highlanders who had taken arms with Charles, and said that they

and those who still protected him were fools and madmen; that they

ought to deliver themselves and their country from distress by giving

him up, and taking the reward which government had offered. That

night a Macdonald who had been in the rebel army came to Macraw’s

house. At first sight he knew Charles, and took an opportunity of

warning Glenaladale to take care that Christopher should not discover

the quality of his guest.”

[1277] _Kirkconnel MS._

[1278] Chisholm was at Edinburgh many years after the rebellion, and

was visited by several persons out of curiosity, some of whom gave

him money. In shaking hands with his benefactors he always gave the

left hand, and excused himself for offering that hand by stating that

as he had shaken hands at parting with the prince, he was resolved

never to give his right hand to any man till he saw the prince again.

[1279] Chambers’s _Rebellion_. Stewart’s _Sketches_, i. 59.

[1280] The party in question consisted of about two hundred of Lord

Loudon’s Highlanders, under Captain Grant of Knockando, Strathspey.

[1281] Appendix to Home’s Works, vol. iii. No. 46. Cluny himself

had several places of concealment on his estate. “He lived for nine

years chiefly in a cave, at a short distance from his house, which

was burnt to the ground by the king’s troops. This cave was in the

front of a woody precipice, the trees and shelving rocks completely

concealing the entrance. It was dug out by his own people, who

worked by night, and conveyed the stones and rubbish into a lake in

the neighbourhood, in order that no vestige of their labour might

betray the retreat of their master. In this sanctuary he lived

secure, occasionally visiting his friends by night, or when time had

slackened the rigour of the search. Upwards of one hundred persons

knew where he was concealed, and a reward of £1,000 was offered to

any one who should give information against him; and as it was known

that he was concealed on his estate, eighty men were constantly

stationed there, besides the parties occasionally marching into the

country to intimidate his tenantry, and induce them to disclose the

place of his concealment. But though the soldiers were animated with

the hope of the reward, and though a step of promotion to the officer

who should apprehend him was superadded, yet so true were his people,

so strict to their promise of secrecy, and so dexterous in conveying

to him the necessaries he required, in his long confinement, that

not a trace of him could be discovered, nor an individual found base

enough to give a hint to his detriment. At length, wearied out with

this dreary and hopeless state of existence, and taught to despair of

pardon, he escaped to France in 1755, and died there the following

year.”--_Stewart’s Sketches_, 3d Edition, vol. i. p. 62.

“The late Sir Hector Munro, then a lieutenant in the 34th regiment,

and from his zeal and knowledge of the country and the people,

intrusted with the command of a large party, continued two whole

years in Badenoch, for the purpose of discovering the chief’s

retreat. The unwearied vigilance of the clan could alone have saved

him from the diligence of this party. At night Cluny came from his

retreat to vary the monotony of his existence, by spending a few of

the dark hours convivially with his friends. On one occasion he had

been suspected, and got out by a back window just as the military

were breaking open the door. At another time, seeing the windows of

a house kept close, and several persons going to visit the family

after dark, the commander broke in at the window of the suspected

chamber, with two loaded pistols, and thus endangered the life of

a lady newly delivered of a child, on account of whose confinement

these suspicious circumstances had taken place. This shows that there

was no want of diligence on the part of the pursuers. Cluny himself

became so cautious, while living the life of an outlaw, that on

parting with his wife, or his most attached friends, he never told

them to which of his concealments he was going, or suffered any one

to accompany him,--thus enabling them, when questioned, to answer,

that they knew not where he was.”--_Idem._

It may be here stated _en passant_ that Cluny did not leave Scotland

from his “dreary and hopeless state of existence,” but in compliance

with a special request made to him by Prince Charles. See a letter

from the prince to Cluny, of 4th Sept., 1754, among the _Stuart

Papers_.

[1282] Vide several letters from Colonel Warren to the Chevalier de

St. George and others, among _Stuart Papers_.