to the satisfaction of all good men!
NEIL MACEACHAIN’S NARRATIVE OF THE WANDERINGS OF PRINCE CHARLES IN THE
HEBRIDES
The misfortunate battle of Colloden being fought upon the 16th of
April, 1746, his royal highness seeing that the day was irrecoverably
lost, concluded that his only business was to endeavour the saving of
himself out of the hands of his enemies: whereupon, having retired to
a neighbouring eminence, hard by the place of action, accompanied by
a few of Fitz-James’s horse, there, having made a little stop, not
knowing whither to direct his course when luckily one Edmond Burk,
the servant of one Alexander MacLeod,[452] son of Mr. John MacLeod,
of Muiravine Side, rod accidentally by them, thinking to find his
master among them, whom he had not seen since the beginning of the
battles. His master (who happened to be there present with the prince),
knowing him to be very well acquaint with all the different rods of
the highlands, ordered him to lead them the safest and surest road to
Glengarry. Whereupon the prince, accompanied by Master O’Sulivan,[453]
Mr. Allan MacDowell,[454] priest, and the said Alexander MacLeod,
marched westward, and arrived that night about eight o’clock to
Thomas Gortlickshorge,[455] a gentleman of the name of Fraser, in
Stratharagaig,[456] where he met, as it was said, with my Lord Lovat,
and supt with him there that night.
After supper the prince reckoning it dangerous to stay so very near the
enemy, the first night, we resolved to continue his journey towards
Glengarry; about break of day, finding himself quite fatigued and
worn out for want of rest, he consulted with his fellow-travellers,
whither he might repair with most safety to take some hours repose.
They all concluded that the Castel of Invergary was the surest and
safest place for that purpose, and a great conveniency of concealment,
and (that he) might repose himself without any fear (there) till such
time as he and his party should take further resolutions. Being then
prevailed upon by these reasons, he immediately repaired thither, where
he was received by Glengarry with the greatest pleasure.[457] When he
sufficiently refreshed himself he took a resolution to proceed still
further, fearing to stay long in one place. He departed that same day
from Glengarry, being the 17th in the evening, and continued his route
towards Lochaber, and came that night to Donald Cameron, of Glenpean’s
house, where he passed the remaining part of the night.
Next day being the 18th, he set out for the Braes of Moror, and arrived
in the evening at Angus Mack Eachan’s[458] house, son to Alexander
McEachan, of Domondrack. He was so much fatigued that night, that he
could neither eat nor drink, and required the help of a man to support
him to his bed. The next day, being the 19th, he ventured to pass the
whole day in a wood near the house, in order to recruit more strength
for a night walk; and accordingly when it was late, he set out for
Arasack, where he arrived about six in the morning, and went straight
to Angus MacDonald’s house in Borrodale, where he quartered, after his
landing, till he marched out of the country.[459] At his arrival here,
he found a great many Mack Donalds assembled together, who had lately
escaped out of the battle of Colloden--gentlemen of both Glengarry’s
and Clanranald’s families. During the eight days he stayed in that
country, he had daily conferences with young Clanranald, Colonel
MacDonald of Barisdale, and several others of both families, treating
which was the safest place, and surest method for his concealment.
After they had satisfied him as to that, they protested, and assured
him he should have nothing to fear, that they would stand by him if
he only would stay among them to the last man. With this he seemed
to be very much satisfied, till Mr. O’Neil[460] and O’Sulivan,[461]
by the advice of Mr. Allan MacDonald, and one Donald MacLeod, of
Galtrigil,[462] perswaded him in a private council, to quite that
country for good, and all; and as there was no appearance of succeeding
further, and that they lost all hopes of gaining the point they once
undertook, it was better to run for the Lewis, where Donald promised
to procure a ship for them as far as the Orkneys, and there, he
assured them to find a ship to transport them to France. The prince
being prevailed upon by these convincing reasons, ordered a ten-oar
boat belonging to Angus MacDonald of Borodale, to be seized upon, and
without any further consultation, he put to sea about six o’clock at
night, accompanied only by these persons who were the authors of the
new scheme, without acquainting any body of any such design,[463] till
they were seen fairly under sail of the coast.
This night’s voyage was like to cost them dire; for they were not long
at sea when there came on such a terrible roaring of thunder, preceed’d
by such dreadfull flashes of lightning, accompanied with a prodigious
poure of rain, so that the whole elements seemed to rebel against them,
and threatened to send them every moment to eternity; the wind, which
continued to blow fair the whole night, coming about to the north,
quite contrary to their course, about twelve o’clock at night, made
them despair of continuing their intended voyage any further, and so
[they] prepared for death, as being sure to be shattered upon the rocks
of the nearest shore. Amidst all these dangers he appeared intrepide,
and offered his service to Donald MacDonald and Donald MacLeod, seeing
they were the only two that was of any service in the boat, whilst all
the rest was oblidged to give it up, stiffened and benumbed with cold.
They continued in that agony the whole night, ’till about break of day,
when Rory MacDonald, who stood at the helm all the time, discerning
Benbicula in south-west, where he knew to be one of the best harbours
on that coast, and the wind blowing astern of them, he piloted them
into the harbour of Roshiness, within five long miles of Clanranald’s
house, which being Sunday, and the 29th of Aprile.[464]
They were no sooner landed but they were seen by a herd of
Clanranald’s who stayed in the place always to take care of his
master’s cattle, and seeing a number of men finely clad, and fully
armed, supposing them to be an enemy, he immediately made off, with
a nimble pair of heels, and carried the news of what he had seen to
his master, as he was at dinner with Mr. John MacAuley,[465] Neil
MacDonald,[466] and several other gentlemen. Clanranald, moved by this
unexpected surprise, before he resolved upon any thing, sent Donald
MacDonald to know the certainty of what the herd had told him. Master
MacAulay, who was parish minister in the country, to satisfie his own
curiosity sent one of his auditors to learn what they were, from whence
they came, and where they were bound for. This fellow, pretending to
have been sent thither by Clanranald, upon a report of a boat’s being
land’d there, and to examine what they were, learned it was the prince
who designed to make for the Lewis in order to make his escape, who
came back and told the minister the same. The minister judging that he
could not meet with a better opportunity to show his zeal and affection
for the government, despatched a courier that same day away to the
Herris, with a letter to his father, who was minister there,[467]
charging him to write immediately upon receipt of his letter, to Mr.
Colin MacKenzie, established minister at Stornoway,[468] informing him
of the same, and ordering him to settle all measures with Seaforth’s
factor there to apprehend the prince at his first landing.
Donald MacDonald, who was sent by Clanranald to learn the strength of
the enemy, as it was believed, having returned, acquainted him of the
matter of fact, assuring, he spoke to Mr. Allen MacDonald, who ordered
him to tell Clanranald to come and see him, as he designed to go off
that night. Whereupon Clan and Neil MacDonald went privately out of the
town, and took their way straight to Roshiness, where they found the
prince, in the house with Mr. O’Sulvan, O’Neil, Mr. Allen MacDonald,
and Donald MacLeod. The prince received him very kindly, after having
communicated to him his design he took leave of him, and put to sea
again that night, with the same persons that accompanied him thither.
The heavens proved more favourable to them that night than the former,
having met with no danger or opposition, and at daybreak they came in
to Loch Maddy, in north-west, where they skulk’d the whole day, being
the 30th, seeing they durst not venter to sea in the daytime, for fear
to be discovered by the several men of war that guarded the coast at
that time. They set out from Loch Maddy about six o’clock, which was
the ordinary hour they always departed, and landed in Scalpa, in the
Herris, early next morning, being the 1st of May.[469]
Before they came near a house they took borrow’d names and employments.
Master O’Sulvan took that of Captain Sinclair, the prince called
himself William Sinclair, the captain’s son, O’Neill changed his
name into Neilson, and mate Master Allen named himself Dalrumple,
and Rosman, and Donald MacLeod, master of the boat y^t brought them
thither, and swore the crew to attest the same.
After this ceremony was over, they came to Donald Campbell’s house,
who was the most sponsable gentleman in that part of the country, but
an enemy by his name, and a downright hypocrite in his heart;[470] and
being asked by their landlord what they were, they told him they were
sea-fareing men from the Orkneys, who being homeward bound from Irland,
lost their ship near the Mull of Kintyre, and most of their crew, and
were thereupon forced to freight their present boat and crew from Mull,
as fare as the Lewis, where they hop’t to find a vessel to transport
them safe home to their own country. The next day, being the 2nd of
May, they sent Donald MacLeod away to Stornaway before them to have
a ship ready freighted, and to get intelligence how the people stood
affected, and to send them word accordingly; which project would have
had the intended success, were it not for the imprudence of Donald, and
MacAulay’s malicious letter.
As soon as he was arrived at Stornaway he set about putting his
commission in execution, and discharged himself so well of that duty,
that he got a ship freighted that same evening, and wrote back to the
prince, who remained still at Scalpa, to repair thither as soon as
possible, but unwarily having gone to drink a bottle with the captain
of the ship, reposing too much trust in him, he disclosed to him all
the secret, whereupon the captain told him, if he should load the
ship with gold he would not employ her for that purpose: Having said
this, he went and published in all the streets of the town that the
pretender (as he called him) was to come to town privately next night,
and if Mr. MacLeod had not escaped out of the town he had certainly
been apprehend’d that night. The prince, who knew nothing of what was
passing before him, he set out upon the 3 of May for Stornaway afoot,
leaving orders with his crew to return home to the mainland and restore
the boat to the owner. That day he suffered a vast deal of cold and
fatigue, the day being so extreme bad; Donald MacLeod mett him about a
quarter of an mile without the town, and told him it was dangerous for
him to venter into it by reason they all got notice of his approach,
and were in an uproar all under arms, and that all this was the effect
of Mr. MacAulay’s letter.
The prince, raging with anger and fear, retired that night to my Lady
Kildin’s house,[471] which lay about half a mile off without the town,
and there he passed the remaining part of the night, notwithstanding
that a great manny of the mob made a dreadful noise about the house a
great part of the night. Having held a consultation with the lady what
was properest to be done, she told him that his only safety consisted
in returning to Benbicula again, under Clanranald’s protection, since
his project in coming thither misgave. In order thereunto, she procured
them a boat to cross Loch Stornaway, which was a nearer cut to return
to Scalpa; where he left his boat and crew, having taken leave of the
worthy lady, he set out about four o’clock in the morning, crossed the
Loch, and arrived back at Donald Campbell’s house, that night, which
was the 4th of May.[472] He was no sooner arrived but he found all the
crew was gone except two, upon account the country people threatened to
apprehend them.
The prince fearing to make a stay in any man’s house, who found out
what he really was, and reckoning it impracticable to find as many
men as would manage his own boat so soon as he would require [them],
especially in the heart of an enemy’s country, he bought a small boat
from Donald Campbell, whom it was said he bribed by giving him a sum
of mony for to hold his tongue, and disown that he knew what he was.
It seemed very difficult for them now to get safe into Benbicula, by
reason the chanel was pestered with the English navy, sent there a
purpose to hinder the prince or any of his party to make their escape.
He set out upon the 5th from Scalpa, and rowed along the coast the
whole night; as they passed the mouth of the Finnasvay bay, they
observed a ship in the harbour which they belived to be the _Baltimore_
sloop of war, Thomas How Captain, a brother to my Lord How in Irland,
and being seen from aboard the _Baltimore_ she immediately sent off
one of her long boats in pursuit of them, and chased them the whole
night; about 5 aclock in the morning she came up pretty close to them,
the prince terrefied at the approach of the enemy begg’d of the rowers
to pull away strongly for fear to fall a sacrifice in the hands of
these ravenous wolves, whereupon they ran in upon a ridge of rocks they
observed betwixt them and the land, and there sculked close by one of
the rocks to observe what course the _Baltimore_ was to take next,
while all of a sudden they saw her change her course, not able to find
them out. Despairing of success she returned to her harbour.
The prince and his party, taking fresh courage, being free from danger
that day, they determined as it was near day to draw nearer the
land, and sculk there, ’till it was late, that the men might refresh
themselves, for the fatigue of the ensueing night; they approached to
the shore, and found it to be a desert island, about two leagues from
the continent of the Herris, where they found no living creature. They
were turned of provisions so short that a lippie of gradan oatmeal[473]
was all that remained to them to satiate their hungry appetites, which
some of the men took, put some water about it with a little salt, and
fell a eating of it. The prince seeing them eat it as hearty as if it
had been better cheer, ask’d them whither it tasted better than it
look’t, they answered if he would only try it, he would be as well
pleased with it as what they were, whereupon, calling for a little of
it, he eat it as contentedly as the most delicate dish that ever was
served upon his table, saying at the same time that it tasted pretty
well, considering the ugly appearance it made. It was not long after,
when Providence cast more plenty in their way, for one of the crew,
who was more curious than the rest, having gone to take a view of the
island, found in the farther end of it abundance of cod and ling, half
a barrel of salt and a pot. Although they were starving the whole day
for hunger, yet they durst not make a fire, by reason they thought it
dangerous to raise a smock upon the island, lest being seen from the
continent it might discover them. When it grew dark the prince ordered
the crew to carry some of the fish to the boat, when not a man, either
simple or gentle obeyed him,[474] he himself went in a passion, and
carried half a dozen of them in his arms, and threw them in the boat,
saying since they were all so gentle and scroupelous, that he would
take the sin upon himself, and show them the exemple; the whole crew
dash’d and confused, would have load’d the boat if he permitted them.
Now being about six o’clock, they put to sea, and landed in Benbicula
the next day, a little after sunrise, in the very same harbour which
they left some days before the 6th of May.
He set his foot no sooner ashore[475] but he sent an express for
Clanranald, who came next night, having taken none with him but Neil
MacDonald, who was there with him before. Upon Clanranald’s arrival, he
seemed quite easie and told him that Providence had sent him under his
protection, where he hoped to be sheltered, and that he was to throw
himself in his hands to dispose of him as he thought fit. Clanranald
assured him he had nothing to fear, and that he would find a place for
his concealment, where none should have the least opportunity to see
him, but such as he should employ to carry to him whatever he wanted.
After he had sufficiently refreshed himself for some days, it was
thought dangerous to make any longer stay at Roshiness, because being
a place much frequented by boats from the neighbouring countrys, they
would be soon discovered; for this reason, he was conducted from
thence to Bareness, about three miles from Roshiness, where he had
the conveniency of a little hutt of a house that was in the place,
the entry of which was so very narrow, that he was forced to fall
upon his knees, and creep in upon his belly, as often as he entered.
This habitation not pleasing him, he begged of Clanranald to send him
into some Christian place wherein he could have more room, and use
more freedom and ease, for in that monstrous hole he could never have
satisfaction, which he said the devil had left because he had not room
enough in it.
The next day being the 10th of May, it was determined to send him to
Corrodall, a little pleasant glen in South-West,[476] belonging to Neil
MacDonald, where there was two country-houses, and conveniency enough
for his concealment. Neil was appointed for to conduct him thither,
whom he desired to remain still with him. About eleven aclock at
night, they set out with Neil, who was their faithful guide, towards
Corrodale, where they arrived next day about six in the afternoon;
when they came near the house, Neil left him under a rock while he
went in to see if there were no strangers there; and finding none
but Ranald, his brother,[477] who had come thither the day before by
Neil’s own orders, he presently returned where he left the prince, and
conducted him to the house.[478] He seemed extraordinary well pleased
with the house, which he swore look’t like a palace in comparison of
the abominable hole they had lately left. He sat upon a seat of green
turf that was made up for him that same evening, and after taking a
refreshment of gradan bread-and-cheese, and goats milk, upon which he
fed very hearty, he desired his feet to be washed, being extreme dirty,
and very much galled by his night walk; after which he smok’t a pipe of
tobacco and went to bed, which being heather and green rushes, he slept
soundly ’till twelve next day.
During this stay at Corrodale, which was five weeks,[479] his ordinary
conversation was talking of the army, and of the battle of Colloden,
and the highland chieftains whose lamentable case he deplored very
much. One day as he was taking a walk in the morning with Neil
MacDonald only, the subject of their discourse was describing to Neil
the battle of Colloden, wherein he said his horse was shot under him;
for (says he) as I was riding up to the right wing, my horse began to
kick, at which I was much surprised, being very quiet, and peaceable
formerly, and looking narrowly to him to see what was the matter with
him, I observed the blood gushing out of his side. Oh! oh! says I
(speaking of the horse), if this be the story with you, you have no
less than reason to be uneasie, whereupon I was oblidged to dismount
and take another. Then the conversation rowlled upon the order of the
battle, and how he was forced to condescend to give the right hand to
the Atholl-men and others, which he knew to be the MacDonald’s right,
meerly by the perswation of my Lord George Murray, and several others,
but however he did a great deal of justice and honour to the Mack
Donalds, by assuring Neil they were the last that abandoned the field;
and, moreover, that they would have had certainly been cut all to
pieces, had not the pickets come to their relief, to whom he said, they
owe an eternal obligation.
He blamed always my Lord George as being the only instrument in
loseing the battle, and altho’ that he, the morning before the action,
used all his rhetorick, and eloquence against fighting, yet my Lord
George outreasoned him, ’till at last he yielded for fear to raise a
dissension among the army, all which he attributed to his infidelity,
roguery, and treachery.[480] He always flattered himself that the
highlanders were still upon foot to hinder the enemy from harrassing
their countrys, and conceived great hopes that they would be able to
stand it out, ’till they got a relief from France. He was so fond
to know what was passing among them, that he sent his boat twice to
Mudort[481] for intelligence, and hearing of a skirmish betwixt Cluny
MacPherson and a party of the elector’s troops in Badanack, of which
Cluny had the better, it gave him no small joy: he had notice given him
likewise that Borrisdale, upon whose courage and conduct he lay a great
stress, was at the head of about three thousand men in Glenkuaak.[482]
All these, and manny such like stories kept him still in top spirits,
together with the expectation of a French landing in England, where
he perswaded himself the Duke of York was landed at the head of ten
thousand French, and assured those who durst not contradict him of the
same.
It gave him a great deal of pleasure to look to the ships that passed
in the Chanel every day, which he flattered himself to be French,
though they were really some of the English fleet sent thither to
guard the coast, and hinder any of the Highlanders to escape, and
would have Neil to go and pilot to some harbour that they might not
be lost. It was wonderfull how he preserved his health all the time,
notwithstanding all the fatigue and troubles he underwent and the bad
usage he met with very often; for I have not seen him one hour sick all
the time I have had the honour to accompany him, save only eight days
he was troubled with a flux, which kept him very busie while it lasted;
he had always a good appetite, and could eat any meat that came in his
way, as well as those who was accustomed to it from their infancy. He
took care to warm his stomach every morning with a hearty bumper of
brandy, of which he always drank a vast deal; for he was seen to drink
a whole bottle of a day without being in the least concerned.
He took a vast delight, when it was a good day, to sit up a stone that
was before the door of the house, with his face turned towards the sun;
and when he was desired to move from thence fearing to get a headache,
he ordered them to pack about their business, that he knew himself what
was good for him, better than they could describe, that the sun did him
all the good in the world. Notwithstanding his melancholy fits, yet
at other times he was so hearty and merry, that he danced for a whole
hour together, having no other musick but some highland reel which
he whistled away as he tripped along. It happened one day as he was
walking along the coast with Neil and the rest of the gentlemen, being
an excessive hot day, they spied a number of young whales approaching
pretty near the shore, and observing them to make straight for the
rock whereon they sat down, he sent immediately for his fusee, and as
they came within his reach he fired at them; and being informed some
time before that Neil was an incomparable good swimmer, he ordered him
to strip and hall ashore the whale, which he swore he had shot dead.
Neil, in obedience to his orders and to humour him, began to strip very
slowly till he saw the whale which had received no hurt out of sight.
During his stay at Corrodale, Clanranald paid him several visits, as
also all the gentlemen of the country, who sent him presents of all
they possessed. As he now despared of any assistance from abroad, and
wishing to be out of the Highlands, he thought of setting about getting
a ship to transport himself out of the kingdom. In order thereunto, he
sent off Mr. O’Neil and Captain Donald MacDonald, Clanranald’s son,
who joined him at his return from the Lewis, in order to go to France,
thinking to get passage from the Lewis privately, to either Sweden or
Denmark, from whence they were to pass into France.
Having received fifty guineas each to defray their charges, they set
out for the Herris, where they were no sooner arrived but O’Neil, who
was there with the prince before, was immediately known, and if he
had not made his escape back to Benbicula, he had been apprehended
without going any further, whereupon he returned to the prince, who did
not care much for him ever after. Captain MacDonald, who pursued his
journey towards the Lewis, met with the same fate at Stornaway, there,
having found his uncle, Alexander MacLeod,[483] he carried him with him
to his own house, where he lay concealed for a long time after, and
returned to the prince no more.
The enemy, who was not idle all this time to inform themselves about
him, got sufficient intelligence that he was in Wist, disposed of
themselves so that it seemed impracticable for him to escape. That
he might lose no time, he sent Neil as minister plenipotentiary to
Boystile,[484] to treat with him to procure a boat for him, and
sufficient hands for to manage it, in case of accidence--for now he
was to attempt to gain the mainland, seeing there was no safety for
him in Wist. Boystile, who did not go near him all the time for fear
of suspicion, sent him back word with Neil, that he himself would come
in person and consult with him what was properest to be done. Boystile
came next day, and was received by the prince with open arms, and
found some of the gentlemen of the country who came to see him the day
before, of whose number was Hugh Macdonald, of Ballissher, from North
Wist,[485] who was ready to sacrifice his life and fortune for the
prince’s safety (I say), Boystile at his arrival found all these lying
in their bed, very much disordered by the foregoing night’s carouse,
while his royal highness was the only one who was able to take care of
the rest, in heaping them with plaids, and at the same time merrily
sung the _De Profundis_ for the rest of their souls.[486]
Neil, who was straggling every day about the neighbouring towns for
intelligence, and who never missed to come in seasonable time with what
news he gathered among the people, arrived, as the Prince, Boystile,
and the other gentlemen were very busie and very hearty taking their
bottle. It was always the prince’s custom whenever Neil returned from
any expedition, to learn from him privately what news he brought
before it was made public. Neil told him that two hundred of the Sky
militia, head’d by Hugh Macdonald, of Armidale,[487] and Alexander
MacLeod of Ullish,[488] was landed at Barra, who was sent thither by
my Lord Lowdian. Campbell, and MacLeod, having had an information that
the prince was sculking in that country, and that these gentlemen’s
orders were, after a diligent search made in Barra, to pass into South
Wist, and to stay there guarding the coasts and foords in the country
’till they were reinforced by a greater number, and, moreover, that
Captain Ferguson[489] was ordered to the Lewis for the same purpose,
Captain MacKenzie to the Herris, and the _Baltimore_ to cruize upon
the coast of Wist, so that it seemed next to a miracle to have been
able to escape. The prince, who always appeared very gay and cheerful,
notwithstanding his crosses and misfortunes, was very much dejected at
this news; which Boystile observing, begged of him to be in no ways
uneasie, that the danger was not so great as what he apprehended, and
that he, despite of all the search of the enemy, would procure a place
for him where he would not be exposed to the least danger till such
time as a more favourable opportunity offered for making his escape;
and fearing least the enemy might surprise them, being now three days
in the country, Boystile took leave of him in order to prevent their
coming so suddenly till he got time to fit into some other place.
Neil fearing the fickleness and the inconstancy of the common people,
who might perhaps be perverted from their fidelity to discover him
to his enemies, in hopes of a great reward, did not think proper to
stay there any longer; whereupon, having got into their boat, which
they always had nigh them, they set out about eleven o’clock at night,
without acquainting any body of their design, except those who were
partakers of it, and took the retreat towards Benbicula, and landed
about break of day in Fuyia,[490] a desert island, about three miles
from Roshiness, where they sculked for eight days.
During their stay in this solitude, he kept a private correspondence
with Boystile about leaving the country, as it appeared impossible for
him to conceal himself any longer from those cursed villains who left
not a stone unturned to find him out. Boystyle, who used all endeavours
to effect his design to get him safely conveyed to the mainland, lost
no time to provide whatever necessaries their voyage required; when
unluckily he himself was taken prisoner and carried away on board the
_Baltimore_, so that that design perished, and came to nothing.
Upon the news of Boystile’s being made prisoner[491] he expressed a
great deal of regret for him, saying it was a great pity he should
fall into the hands of such ruffians, who would have no regard for his
merit, for really he was the honestest man (said he) I met with since
my stay in the isles. While he stayed upon the island he went about
the shore once or twice a day, to see if he could find out which was
the most commodious hole or cave for hiding him in case some of the
men of war that kept the channel still came to land any men. There he
had occasion to see the Lady Clanranald, who came from Roshiness to
have the honour of seeing him before he left the country, and carried
along with her to him some of what necessaries he wanted: he received
her very kindly, made much of her, and thanked her for her generosity,
telling her next day at parting that he would not forget soon what
kindness he met with in the country. They had plenty of bread and other
meats during their retreat in that Patmos, but before the eight days
was expired they were obliged to leave the hole to another party of the
MacLeods who landed upon the island from Skay.
After being chased from thence they had no other resource but to return
towards the south end of the country, upon hearing that the Skay
militia had departed from Boystile’s house two days before, and were
upon their march towards Benbicula, where they flattered themselves
infallibly sure to find him. About eight o’clock at night, upon the
12th of July, they put to sea from Lochaskivay, and rowed the whole
night along the coast, and as the day began to dawn Neil advised them
to land in Lochskiport, and to stay there ’till it was late; but the
prince, who was eager to be as far on that day as possibly he could,
would not condescend, and so continued their voyage the whole day.
About five in the afternoon they landed at Corrodale, where they
refreshed themselves ’till it was ten, and arrived next morning at
sunrise at the mouth of Lochynort, in South-Wist; they had not so much
as one mouthful to eat that night of any kind, and having made up a
tent of the oars and sail of the boat, he laid himself down upon a kind
of a heather bed that was made for him, while Neil stood sentry upon
the rock before the tent door the whole night, after he had placed two
of the crew whom he could trust most to about a mile off as an advanced
guard.
When it was near day he asked Neil whether it was possible to find any
meat, who told him it was impracticable, by reason the nearest town lay
five miles off, whereupon he roused up the rest, and got into the boat
and rowed to Stialay, a small island near the entry of Loch Boystile,
within three long miles of Boystile’s house, being the 14th of July
in the evening. They were no sooner landed and the tent made, than
Neil posted off immediately to Boystile’s house for provisions; when
he arrived, he found all the family in bed, and having knocked them
up, he acquainted Boystile’s daughter who came first to the door with
the princes being upon the Island of Stialay, where he had but very
ill accommodation. She ran into the room where her stepmother[492] was
in bed, bringing Neil along with her, who told the lady the miserable
condition his royal highness was in, she got up in the greatest hurry,
and sent off what was readiest to relieve them in the mean time, ’till
such time she could get more prepared against the next night. Neil
returned, charging the lady at parting, to learn what was passing among
the enemy, and to inform them accordingly.
At his arrival he found the boat ashore waiting him, and having passed
to the island, the prince met him at his landing, and asked of him if
he got any meat. Neil told him that he brought some fresh butter and
cheese and a few bottles of brandy. ‘Come, come,’ said he, ‘give me
one of the bottles and a piece of the bread, for I was never so hungry
since I was born’; which being given him, he took two or three hearty
pulls of it before he came near the rest, which gave him so good an
appetite, that he eat that night more than ever he was seen to eat at
three ordinary meals, and all the rest did proportionably. After supper
he called for the brandy-bottles, and drank the king’s and the duke’s
healths; which done, he wrapt himself in his plaid, laid down, and
slept away the remaining part of the night very soundly.
Next morning there was a consultation held concerning the course they
were to take from thence. Some were of opinion that they should venter
to run for the continent in the small boat they had, of which the
prince himself approved very much, saying he would rather drown than
fall into the hands of those profligate fellows who were in pursuit of
him. Others were of opinion that the safest step they could take was,
to make for some one of the Southren Isles of Barra, and the rather
because the first party who came after him to the country landed first
in that island, and it seemed very probable that they would not return
there again. They all agreed to this last proposal, and that no time
might be lost, they prepared every thing to set off next day, if the
weather favoured them. This project came to nothing as well as the
former, for the Lady Boystile sent an express that same afternoon, that
one Captain Scott[493] was landed at Barra from Fort William, with a
detachment of regular troops, in order to join the Skay militia in
South-Wist, and that they intended, according as she was informed, to
be at her house by ten o’clock next day, which she would inform him of,
if possible, whatever happened.
This news put them in a greater consternation than ever, which obliged
them to cross over to the other side of Loch Boystile that night for
the more security. Next day about break of day, the prince sent off
Rory MacDonald to learn whither Scott was arrived, and to bring back
word what was passing among them. Rory returned at eight o’clock, and
told the prince that the lady, her daughter, and all the servants,
were tied neck and heel in one house, in order to extort a confession
from them of the prince’s being in the country; while her seller and
all her most valuable effects were left to the mercy of the ungenerous
soldiers, who were busie in carrying the plunder to their boats. The
news of the ladies ill-treatment struck such a terror into the minds of
the timorous crew, that they immediately sunk the boat, and abandoned
the prince and the few gentlemen who accompanied him. In this desperate
condition there was no remedy to be thought upon, but to dismiss the
few gentlemen that accompanied till then, and retire to the mountains;
whereupon having left every body to shift for himself (of whose number
was O’Sullivan, who was left under a rock with the best part of the
prince’s baggage), the prince, with Neil and MacO’Neil,[494] made for
the top of the nearest hill, that from thence they might have a better
view of their enemies motion, and take further resolution how they were
to dispose of themselves next.[495]
I forgot to tell that when Captain Scott landed in South-Wist, Hugh
MacDonald,[496] who lay in Benbicula then with his party, sent one of
the country gentlemen in whom he could repose a great deal of trust,
to tell the prince privately that, as it seemed now impossible for him
to conceal himself any longer in the country, if he would venter to be
advised by him, though an enemy in appearance yet a sure friend in his
heart, he would fall upon a scheme to convoy him to the Isle of Skay,
where he was sure to be protected by Lady Margaret MacDonald.[497] The
scheme was this: to send his stepdaughter, Miss Florence MacDonald, to
Sleet, to live with her mother ’till the enemy was out of Wist. The
prince at the same time was ordered to dress in woman’s close, that he
might pass for her servant-maid, and Neil was appointed to take care
of both. The scheme pleased the prince mightely, and he seemed very
impatient to see it put in execution.
But to return to the top of the hill, the prince with Neil and Mr.
O’Neil remained there the whole day. About sunset the prince told Neil
that he entrusted himself in his hands, and that his life and safety
depended upon him, Neil answered that the charge was more than what his
life was worth; but yet, with God’s assistance that he would find means
to preserve him from all danger till every thing was got ready to leave
the country. After this they took a refreshment of bread-and-cheese,
and set out towards the north end of the country, every body carrying
his own share of the baggage, the prince carried his own few shirts,
O’Neill carried his own linnen, and Neil carried the provision, his own
gun and sword, and the prince’s fusee and one of his holsters, while
the other hung upon his own belt. As they were going on, the prince
clapt Neil’s shoulder, often telling him if ever it was their good
fortune to get free of their present troubles, he would make him live
easie all his days for the fatigue of that night. Neil was informed
some days before, that Miss Flora lived with her brother in a glen
near Locheynort, where they had all their cattle a grazing at that
time, and which happened to be very near the rod they were to pass that
night.[498]
When the prince was informed of it, he would needs go to see her, and
tell her of the message he had from her stepfather. When they were
near the little house where she was asleep, for her brother was not at
home, Neil left the prince and O’Neil at a little distance off,’till
he went in and wakened her; she got scarcely on the half of her close,
when the prince, with his baggage upon his back, was at the door, and
saluted her very kindly; after which she brought to him a part of the
best cheer she had, among the rest was a large bowl full of creme, of
which he took two or three hearty go-downs, and his fellow-travellers
swallowed the rest.
He discovered to her her stepfather’s proposal, and ask’t whether she
was willing to run the risque. She joyfully accepted of the offer
without the least hesitation, and that no time might be lost, she was
ordered immediately away to Benbicula to consult with her step-father
and the Lady Clanranald, to get every thing in readiness as soon as
possible, and to send them word back again next day how all was going
on with them. Having taken leave of Miss Flora, they pursued their
journey, and about sunrise they arrived upon the side of a hill three
miles from Corrodale, where they sate down under a rock in order to
take some rest. The prince, as he took no victuals the night before,
complained of hunger, and ask’t of Neil if he had any thing to eat;
Neil gave him a piece of bread-and-cheese that Miss MacDonald had given
him the night before. After he eat of it very heartily, he laid himself
down and slept, while Neil stood sentry upon him all the time; when he
and O’Neil was sufficiently rested, he ordered Neil to take some rest,
and sent O’Neil to mount guard in his turn.
When it was drawn late, the prince ask’t Neil if there was any
possibility of getting any supper; Neil told him he would find enough,
and leaving the prince and O’Neil under the same rock, he went and
bought abundance of such cheer as the neighbourhood could afford. The
prince was prodigious impatient the whole afternoon for Miss Flora’s
answer, and despairing to hear a word from her that night, he sent off
Neil, at eight o’clock at night, to Benbicula, with strict orders to
be back next day at four in the afternoon, under pain of gaining his
displeasure for ever. Neil, notwithstanding the fatigue and the length
of the journey (which was thirty miles backward and forward), willingly
condescended.
When he arrived at the fourds which seperates Benbicula from South
Wist,[499] he found them all guard’d by the Skay militia, who had
placed sentries within a gun shot of each other from east to west;
their consigne was to let pass no person whatsoever until he was
examined first by the captain of the guard; by this means Neil was
stopped, and was kept prisoner there till next morning, when it was
low water Neil was sent away to the captain of the guard on the other
side, who happened to be Hugh MacDonald; when Neil went in he found
Miss MacDonald, who was stopped in the same manner by another party
of the MacLeods, who had the guard two nights before, with some other
gentlemen at breakfast with Mr. MacDonald. Neil call’d miss aside,
and ask’t if every thing was ready, she told him as it was put out of
her power to go on the length of the Lady Clanranald, that nothing
was as yet done, but that she was going off within half an hour after
to consult with the lady, and designed to go to Roshiness, both of
them, that same afternoon, and carry along with them whatever clothes
or provisions was requisite for the voyage, and she begg’d of Neil
to make all the hast possible to return to the prince, and, without
losing one moment of time, to make the best of his way to Rosshiness,
where he would be sure to find them without fail.
Neil posted off immediately, and arrived at the prince at the hour he
had appointed, and found him under the same rock where he had left him;
he no sooner saw Neil come in sight than he ran to meet him, and took
him by the hand asking what news he had from Miss Flora; Neil told him
what orders he had from the lady (as he called Miss Flora), after which
they set out for Roshiness. The greatest difficulty for this journey
was to find a boat to go by sea, as it was impossible to venture by
land, because, as I have already told, all the fourds were guarded by
the MacLeods; but God, who always provided whatever he had occasion
for, removed this difficulty also, for when they arrived at the side of
Lochskiport, there they found four country people who had come there
some days before to fish, with a small yawl.
Neil knew them immediately, and agreed with them for to ferry him
and two other gentlemen that were with him over to Fouay, where they
expected to meet with Ranald MacDonald (called Walpole);[500] but
when they landed upon the island they found no living soul of either
man or beast upon it; being, at this time, clear daylight, they could
not bring the boat no further, for fear to be seen from the land,
wherefore they ordered the boat men to land them on the nearest rock
of Benbicula, that from thence they might go afoot to Roshiness, which
done, Neil payed the boatmen and sent them away home.
The prince sate down upon the rock where they had land’d, and, being
quite overcome for want of rest, he fell asleep, and so did O’Neil;
during the time they slept Neil thought proper to take a walk round
about for fear that any body should come upon them at any unawares;
but he had not gone ten yards from them, when he observed an arm of
the sea come in betwixt him and the rest of the land, which formed an
island; he returned immediately and informed the prince, who started
up like a mad man and walked to the end of the island at such a rate
as if he had a mind to fly over to the other side, but his career was
soon stopped; whereupon he fell a scoulding Neil as if it had been his
fault, and the curse rascals (meaning the boatmen) who land’d them
upon that desert island designedly that he might starve with hunger
and cold, in short, there was no pacifying him till, at last, Neil
told him to comfort himself, that he would sweem over to the other
side and would bring a boat in half an hour’s time, from that moment
he never gave Neil one minute’s rest, till, to please him, he began to
strip, notwithstanding that it rained most prodigiously, when luckily
Neil observed a rock appearing in the middle of the sound, and begg’d
of the prince to allow him a little more time, that it seem’d very
probable at low water they could pass over with dry feet without being
obliged to hazard his life by sweeming, which was to be the ultimate
resource, which happened accordingly, for in less than three quarters
of an hour’s time, they passed over without wetting the soles of their
shoes.[501]
The prince seem’d as well pleased when he got out of that labyrinth as
if he was landed in France; he was so cold (for the rain pierced to his
very skin) that he trembled, the moor being so plain that there was
not the least bush, eminence, or hill to cover him from the weather,
and he was so hungry that he was not able to walk, having eaten not
a mouthful of any kind since the evening before. In this deplorable
condition it was hard to determine how to behave, but as there was no
time to be lost, despite of rain and weather, he continued his journey
for Roshiness, where he expected to find the ladies before him that
night. When they had walkt about a quarter of a mile, they lighted
accidentally upon two sheelings, where two of Clanranald’s tennants
stay’d, who, seeing them coming, came to meet them. Neil, to prevent
their coming too nigh, stept on and met them; they enquired what were
these other two that came along with him.
Neil satisfied their curiosity by telling them they were poor Irish
gentlemen, who made their escape from Culloden, and run to the country
for shelter, and that it was an act of charity if they had any kind of
eatables to give them some refreshment, for that they had not tasted
meat for eight-and-forty hours before, whereupon the honest fellows
order’d them to go in; the door of the hut was so low and narrow, that
the prince was obliged to creep upon his belly. There they feasted
splendidly upon such cheer as there was to be had, which was mostly
milk kind; being thus sufficiently refreshed they went off, and as
Neil was not thoroughly acquainted in that rod, he brought one of the
fellows with him for a guide to whom he gave half a guinea for his
pains. When they were within three miles of Roshiness, being at that
time five in the afternoon, they laid down in a lock side among high
heather, which was all the shelter they had from the rain.
There they past the remaining part of the day, the prince shivering
with cold all the time. When it was late, they set out for Rosshiness,
the night turned so dark that they could not see three yards before
them, and the rain was so vehement, with the wind blowing directly in
their teeth, that they could scarcely look where to set their foot;
besides the rod was so very bad, that the prince, despite of what care
Neil and O’Neil could take of him, fell at almost every step in some
ditch or mire, where, very often, he lost his shoes, which gave Neil
a vast deal of trouble and pains before he could fish them up again,
being sometimes obliged to put his hand to the very shoulder in the
puddle for them.
After having surmounted all these troubles and difficulties, they at
last arrived in the long wished for harbour. When they came near the
house, Neil left the prince and O’Neil about a cannon-shot off, while
he himself went in to see whether the ladies were come; but finding
none but the man who took care of the house in bed with his wife, who
told him that twenty of the Skay militia who landed there two days
before, were in a tent about a quarter of a mile of the house, he
returned to the prince with that dismal news, which so enraged him,
that he was like to tear his clothes in pieces, not knowing where to
run for safety, the enemy being every where.
The guide, though he did not understand the language they spoke, yet
understood the confusion they were in, told them there was one of
Clanranald’s boomen[502] not far off, into whose house they might go
with safety till they came to a further resolution. They immediately
betook themselves thither, and I leave the reader to judge what a bonny
figure they made when they came to examine themselves before light, all
bespattered with dirt and mud, after the foregoing night’s walk. There
he resolved to return Neil to Nuntown[503] to inform Miss MacDonald
that he was arrived, and to hasten her to come without any longer delay.
Neil, who foresaw clearly the danger he would be exposed to, if he
was left with a man who knew not one step of the country, or where to
retire to in case of necessity, absolutely denied to part with the
prince upon any account, and so Mr. O’Neill was obliged to go upon
that expedition; who was mighty well pleased to be entrusted with that
embassy, not so much to further the prince’s affairs, as to be in
company with Miss Flora, for whom he professed a great deal of kindness
at that time. About break of day, the Booman’s wife told Neil that
it was dangerous for them to stay in the house any longer because the
militia were wont to come every morning to buy milk, whereupon Neil and
his pupil went and lodged under a rock pretty near the shore, where the
Booman sent one of his derry maids to give them notice from time to
time, what was passing among their neighbour enemies.
It is almost inexpressible what torment the prince suffered under that
unhappy rock which had neither height nor bredth to cover him from
the rain which poured down upon him so thick as if all the windows of
heaven had broke open, and, to compleat his tortures, there lay such a
swarm of mitches upon his face and hands as would have made any other
but himself fall into despair, which, notwithstanding his incomparable
patience, made him utter such hideous cries and complaints as would
have rent the rocks with compassion.
Neil, who stood all this time aside him, could be of no more service
to him than to let run to the ground the rain which stagnated in the
lurks of the plaid wherein he lay wrapt. In this miserable condition he
continued for about three hours, till their faithful scoote came for
the last time, and told them they might return to the house, for that
the militia was gone; Neil helped him to his feet, and they marched
away to the house, where the good derrymaid took care to make a roozing
fire for their coming. He was no sooner entered but Neil stripped him
of all his clothes from top to toe, and hung rops round the house to
dry them on; he sate down in his shirt at the fireside as merry and
hearty as if he was in the best room at Whitehall.
After he had warmed himself, he desired Neil to ask the wife if she had
any eatables. She said that she had nothing except a chapin of milk she
kept for her bairns, which Neil desired her to warm in a pot, and when
it was hot to froth it up with the machine made for that purpose. When
all was ready, the wife placed the pot before the prince and Neil, and
gave them two horn spoons as coarse as ever was made use of, the prince
ask’t Neil what it was, who told it was fresh creme, he not doubting
but it was really so, and at the same time believing it to be solid,
pushed his hand to the very wrist in the scalded milk, which made him
draw back his hand in the greatest hurry, all full of wrath, and dropt
his spoon in the pot. Neil had all the difficulty imaginable to keep
his gravity, to hear him curse the wife and her pot a hundred times,
calling her a vile witch for (says he) she contrived it a purpose that
we might burn ourselves. Neil, seeing him altogether out of humour,
in order to pacify him, told he would take a stick and labour her to
an inch of her life with it, and immediately ran to an oar of the
boat that was lying before him to knock out her brains. The prince,
believing him to be serious, begged of him not to touch her, for, if he
came to do her any hurt, she would certainly run off and bring a party
upon them.
After this repas, the prince inclined to sleep a little, as he rested
none the night before; but to get a bed for him was the question--in
short, there was no better shift than to take the leaf of the door,
and lay it down upon the floor, and spread an old ragged sail over
it, which Neil found in the house; there he slept some hours wrapt in
his wet plaid. The guide, who went with O’Neil the night before to
Clanranald’s house, returned towards evening, who brought along with
him a rosted fowl, and a couples of bottles of wine, and a letter from
O’Neil to the prince, the contents of which I could not find out,
though it’s very probable he excused himself for not returning, under
pretence to hasten all matters for leaving the country. The prince
supp’t very heartily upon what the lady had sent him, and afterwards
slept soundly upon a heather bed, which Neil made for him.
Next morning the prince wrote a letter to O’Neil by the same post that
brought the former, desiring him to come to him that night; but O’Neil
contented himself to return him an answer by the same bearer, telling
him he could not come by reason that he waited Miss McDonald and the
Lady Clanranald, who was to come next day without fail.
The prince waited that day in the house of Roshiness. Next morning Neil
carried him to a hill half way betwixt Roshiness and Nuntown;[504]
there they lay till the evening, when they returned to their former
quarters.
The prince seemed very uneasie that night that neither Mac O’Neil nor
the ladys did not come according to promise; but the truth is, thay
could not really come sooner, as they were busie night and day to get
his dress made for the prince, and whatever other things he might have
occasion for. The next day Rory McDonald, and one John McDonald, who
were to be two of our crew, arrived in the morning, and told that both
boat and crew were ready whenever he pleased.
Whereupon Neil carried the prince to the same hill where they had
sculked the day before, and leaving him in the hands of the two
McDonalds before mentioned, posted off himself to hurry the ladys
from Nuntown, and sent off O’Neil directly to the place where he left
the prince when himself went with the Lady Clan, Miss Flora McDonald,
Clanranald’s daughter, and Mr. McDonald of Milltown, Miss Flora’s
brother, about another rod, where they were to have the conveniency of
a boat to Roshiness.
The prince, who arrived first, welcomed them ashore, and handed the
Lady Clan to the house, while O’Neil took care of Miss Flora. There
they passed some hours very hearty and merry till supper was served,
which was scarce began, when one of Clanranald’s herds came with the
news that General Campbell[505] was landing his men within three
miles of them. The supper thus ended, which was hardly begun--all run
to their boat in the greatest confusion, every one carrying with him
whatever part of the baggage came first to his hand, without either
regard to sex or quality, they crossed Lochisguiway,[506] and, about
five in the morning, landed on the other side, where they ended the
supper.
About eight a servant came to the Lady Clanranald to acquaint her that
General Campbell, with a party of his men, were at her house, and
wanted that she should be there before twelve of the clock otherwise
that her house should suffer for all. Here the lady and her daughter
took leave of the prince and went off. Great was the debate betwixt
Miss Flora and O’Neil upon this occasion, who insisted strongly to
leave the country with the prince; but Miss McDonald would never
condescend, because he being a stranger, and consequently did not speak
the language of the country, would readily be taken notice of by the
common sort, and so took leave of the prince and Miss, made the best of
his way to South Wist along with Milltown.
The company being gone, the prince, stript of his own cloaths, was
dressed by Miss Flora in his new attire, but could not keep his hands
from adjusting his head dress, which he cursed a thousand times.
There they lay till the evening, waiting impatiently for the night to
set off. Here they were alarmed by five wherries, the same, as they
supposed, that landed the Campbells the night before in Benbicula,
supposing, by taking this precaution, to keep the prince from making
his escape. But their fears were soon over; for the wherries sailed
by to the southward without ever stopping. After sunset they got into
their boat, which was managed by the following persons--Rory McDonald,
John McDonald, John McMurich, Duncan Campbell, and Rory McDonald of
Glengary family; the prince passed for Miss McDonald’s maid, and Neil
McDonald in the quality of a servant.[507]
The weather proving calm in the beginning of the night, they rowed away
at a good rate; but, about twelve, there blew a gale of westerly wind,
which eased the Rowers not little, but at the same time there came on
such thick mist as robbed them of the sight of all lands; great was
the debate among the boatmen upon this occasion, some asserted that
they lost their course, while others maintained the contrary, till
their dispute end’d at last to cease rowing till day would decide their
error. In the morning, the weather being quite clear, they rowed along
the coast of Sky, but the wind, shifting about to the north, blew at
nine o’clock so strong in their teeth, that for an hour and a half it
was impossible to discern whether they made any way or not.
The prince, who, all this time, was not in the least discouraged,
encouraged them to row still better, saying that he would relieve him
that was most fatigued. The poor men, almost ready to breathe out their
last, at length made the point of Watersay on the north corner of the
Isle of Sky, where, having got into a cliff in a rock, they rested
themselves for an hour, and at the same time revived their drooping
spirits with a plentiful repas of bread and butter, while the water
that fell from the top of the rock furnished them drink.
This gave them fresh vigour for to undertake the remaining part of
their labour, the weather being quite calm again, they rowed round the
point close by the land. They had not gone far on the other side, when
they spyed two centrys upon shore, one of whom approached nearer, and
ordered them to put to, but they rowed the faster; which he observing,
advanced as far as the sea would permitt him, bad them put to, a
second time in a more threatning manner, and seeing them like not to
obey, he cocked his piece, which he thought to fire upon them, but, as
Providence ordered it, she misgave, and so he was disappointed. The
other who look’d on all this time, made to heels to a neighbouring
village, about a cannon shot off, to acquaint their officer (if there
was any) of what had happened.
The boatmen, justly judging what he was going about, made them now row
for dear blood. They very soon saw the event of their conjectures, for
a body of about fifteen men, full armed, marched straight from the
village to the rock, where their centry was post’d, and if they had the
presence of mind to launch out one of their boats (of which they had
two close by them) we must have been inevitably taken.
The prince by this time was sensible of his error in not allowing
the men at parting from Uist to have any arms in the boat, which if
they had had, were fully resolved to fight it out to the last man,
notwithstanding the inequality of numbers. The enemy seeing it quite
out of their power to execute their design in coming thither, as we
got fairly out of their reach, took a walk along the shore, without
giving the prince or crew any uneasiness, further than to gaze at them
till they landed in Kilbride in Troterniss within a cannon shot of Sir
Alexander McDonald’s house,[508] twelve miles from the place where we
saw the enemy.
In the neighbourhood of this place was another party of the Sky
militia, who was post’d there to examine all boats that came from the
isles, as they were pretty well assured that the prince was there at
that time. Miss and Neil having kept the prince in the boat as well as
they could, went to the house, leaving strict orders with the boatmen
not to stir from it till they came back, or some word from them, and
in case their curiosity led any body thither, who might perhaps take
the liberty to ask who was the person kept in the boat, to answer Miss
McDonald’s maid, and to curse her for a lazy jade, what was she good
for, since she did not attend her Mrs.
When they were come near the house, they were informed by a servant
that Sir Alexander was gone for Fort Augustus some days before to
wait upon Cumberland, and that there was no company with the lady but
two gentlemen, to wit, McDonald of Kingsbourg,[509] and Lieutenant
McLeod,[510] commander of the party before mentioned, and one Mrs.
McDonald who came the day before from North Wist, and who was so
strictly examined by the party upon the point of Waternish (taking her
to be the prince in disguise), that she was at all the pains imaginable
to keep off the soldiers’ hands from examining her person too closely,
which must have been the Prince’s fate had he fallen into their hands.
Miss Flora having met with one Miss McDonald, Lady Margarate’s
gentlewoman, sent her to acquaint her lady that she wanted to speak
to her, who came back and carried Miss Flora to the lady’s apartment,
where she told all the circumstances of the prince’s escape from
the isles, and that she must harbour him as he came now under her
protection.
The lady, in the greatest perplexity, was at a loss how to behave
upon this occasion, for her hurry and impatience hindred her to fall
upon proper means to get the prince conveyed privately to the house,
especially at such an improper hour as eleven o’clock of the day.
Whereupon she sent for Kingsborough, to whom she disclosed the whole
secret. Kingsborough, without being in the least discomposed, explained
to her the danger the prince and her would be exposed to if she
insisted to have him brought to her house, where she was to entertain
one of the king’s officers that day, who could not miss to see and take
notice of the person in disguise, as well as every body else about the
town.
Having got the lady at last to yield, though with great reluctancy, he
ordered Neil to return to the prince, and to carry him to the back of
a hill, a long mile from the house of Mungstot, and there to wait till
he came to join them, and ordered that some light clothes should be
packt in the form of a bundle, for the prince to carry on his back, as
if it had been some of Miss Flora’s baggage, which done, they set out
for the hill, but they had not gone far, when tiring of his burden,
which he carried very awkwardly, threw it from him, leaving it for Neil
to carry, or leave, as he should think fit. It was in vain that Neil
insisted he would take it again, but he would never condescend, saying
that he had carried it long enough.
When they came to the place of meeting they sate down upon the side of
a hillock, where they wait’d for Kingsborough. The prince, who was a
long time silent and very pensive, ask’d Neil whether he had carried
his case of knives from the boat; Neil, who did not miss them till
then, answered he had not; ‘Then,’ said the prince, ‘you must return
and look for them.’--‘Shall I for the sakes of all the knives in the
universe leave you here all alone?’ reply’d Neil.--‘There will be
no fears of me,’ said he, ‘do you what you are ordered, for I must
absolutely have it, so no more words.’ Neil still opposed, but in vain;
seeing him at last quite out of humour, and ready to fly in a passion,
went leaving him there within a gun shot of the high rod, without a
soul along with him.
When Neil returned he found Kingsborough with him taking a glass of
wine, which Lady Margarate MacDonald had sent by Kingsborough, together
with some few biscuits of which he ate a little, and gave the rest
to Neil to keep for him till another occasion. About an hour before
sunset they set off for Kingsborough, where they were to be that night.
Miss Flora, who staid for dinner at Mungstot, that she might not be
suspected by Lieut. MacLeod, followed a horseback at some distance, and
was mightily diverted to hear several of the country people with whom
she fell in upon the road, as they returned from the meeting house at
Mungstot, it being Sunday, make their remarks upon the behaviour of
Betty Burk, her maid, which name the prince borrowed when he left the
Isle of Wist.
Neil, who walked a little behind the prince, and Kingsborough, hearing
the subject the fellows were upon, went slower till they came up and
joined him, but they, notwithstanding, continued to speak with the same
freedom as before, of the impudence and assurance of Miss Burk, who was
not ashamed to walk and keep company with Kingsborough, and was no less
vexed than surprised how he took so much notice of her, when he never
minded her mistress, who was so near at hand. Betty, very easie of what
would be said of her, went on always at such a rate, that she very
often got a piece before her fellow travellers, which gave occasion to
some of the fellows to cry out, ‘Curse the wretch do you observe, sir
(meaning Neil), what terrible steps she takes, how manly she walks, how
carelessly she carries her dress,’ and a hundred such like expressions,
which they repeated over and over again.
But what they most took notice of all was, when Kingsborough and his
companion was come to a rivulet about knee deep, which crossed the
high rod, to see Burk take up her petty coats so high when she entred
the water. The poor fellows were quite confounded at this last sight,
which made them rail out against Burk, calling her all the names in the
world, and ask’t of Neil if he was acquainted with her. Neil told them
that he knew nothing about her further than to hear she was an Irish
girl who met with Miss MacDonald in Wist, and uppon a report of her
being a famous spinister of lint, engaged her for her mother’s use.
The honest people soon after departed with Neil and Miss Flora, and
made for their different homes full of astonish----
[_Manuscript ends abruptly._]
A SHORT NARRATIVE OF THE CONDUCT OF LUDOVICK GRANT OF GRANT DURING THE
REBELLION
NOTE.--Many of the letters enclosed by Ludovick Grant as
appendixes to his narrative are printed in Sir William Fraser’s
_Chiefs of Grant_. With a few exceptions these have not been
reprinted here, but a reference is given to where they may be
found in the second volume of the _Chiefs of Grant_, and a brief
abstract is given of the more important letters. The letters
referred to by Ludovick Grant which are not given by Sir William
Fraser are here printed in full.