How we supped with a thief, and the outcome thereof.
There were one or two ragged creatures near by watching us as we
landed, but though we shouted to them and made signs, they not only
refused to come to our aid, but made off amongst the rocks as we
advanced.
"Well, Giovannini, is your heart bursting with pride over your
country and countrymen?" asked Father O'Rourke, in Italian, as we
struggled and panted with our loads over the rough track up the
hillside under the hot spring sun.
"Indeed, this is none of my country, thank God! This only belongs to
the McKenzies," said I, ashamed somewhat of the reception we had met.
"Oh, indeed! and to what particular tribe of cattle do they belong?"
he asked.
I stopped short in my way and dropped my portmanteau, determined to
put an end to his nonsense at once.
"Now, Father O'Rourke--" I began, but he interrupted me with:
"Captain Lynch, if you please, Mr. McDonell, and your superior,
remember, as regards rank!" drawing himself up to his full height.
He looked so droll standing there in his fine uniform, with his sword
and cocked hat and bag wig quite à la mode de Paris, that I could not
help bursting out laughing.
He waited until I was done, and then said, very gravely, "Well, 'pon
my word! but I'm rejoiced that I've found my way to your funny-bone
at last. But if the sight of a fist like this and a foot like that
are the only approaches to a Highlander's sense of humour--and I am
bound to apply the back of the one and the toe of the other whenever
I am forced to a jest--I take it, my better part is to make poor
Captain Lynch a sad dog like yourself."
"Mr. McKenzie," he ran on, addressing our guide, who, it was plain to
see, was much puzzled at our behaviour, "are you much given to humour
in these parts?"
"No sir," he answered, "none that I ever heard of."
"Then why in the name of the Isle of Man did you take up with that
creature you brought on board ship?"
Seeing the poor man was bewildered, I explained that his companion,
Mr. Graeme, was meant.
"Och, him---he would just be coming to Colin Dearg with the others
after the battle."
"Is that old Colin Dearg, Laggy?" I asked.
"None other," he answered; "and it is to him, very probable, that
Ardloch will be sending you."
Ardloch, I explained to Father O'Rourke, was a Mr. McKenzie, to whose
place we were bound, and Colin Dearg, or Red Colin, another, both
staunch Jacobites.
"Well, well, 'tis a puzzlesome country this, where the men not only
do without breeches, but throw off as well the names their fathers
gave them; had I known more, I needn't have used such punctilio in
borrowing the Captain's. Would not O'Rourke of Brefni, or just
Brefni, tout court, have a grand sound; seeing it wouldn't be decent
for me to go in petticoats, and I am anxious to make a good
impression?"
But I would not answer him, for I could see he was in one of his most
provoking humours; so I shouldered my portmanteau and trudged on, and
he was forced to follow.
He was not abashed, however, and tried to draw out McKenzie; but the
latter was shame-faced and could hardly answer to his follies, so I
had to beg him to desist, as the poor man could not understand his
funning.
"I don't find him different from the rest of his countrymen," he
returned; but I would not answer.
Ardloch received us warmly, and gave us a hearty meal, with good
whiskey to follow, and then proposed we should hire a boat--leaving
McKenzie behind, as it was better Father O'Rourke's transformation
should not be talked over--and go up Little Loch Broom to Laggy,
where we would find a number of officers, fresh from the Prince, who
might give us some directions where to look.
"Do you look upon everything as lost?" I asked him, at parting.
"That depends on what you mean by 'everything,'" he answered, slowly.
"If you mean any attempt to bring the rebellion to life again now, I
would say yes. But if you mean to keep the fire alive, then no. The
clans cannot all be scattered as yet, for nothing goes to pieces in
that way, and I doubt not but there will be some for making a stand
in spite of all. But money must be had to keep them together. They
have been out since August last, and no Highlander will stay away
from home long, even for fighting. 'Tis against all custom. What
plunder they got is long since gone, and they will be wearying for
home. For home! God help them, many will never see it again! But
money, Mr. McDonell--if money can be had, men can be had too, and the
Prince can, at the worst, be safely covered until the time opens for
escape."
Then my heart rose within me for the first time, for in my hands lay
the possible means of safety for the Hope of all loyal hearts.
We at once proceeded, and before nightfall reached Laggy, where we
were met by old Colin Dearg, a burly, bearded ruffian with a great
shock of red hair, Big William McKenzie of Killcoy, a major, and
Murdock McKenzie, a lieutenant in the Earl of Cromarty's Regiment,
with about sixty men, and thought ourselves as safe as in the heart
of France.
We learned that some were still in arms for Prince Charles,
especially the regiment of Glengarry, in which were my kinsmen and
friends, and that of Cameron of Lochiel. So we begged for an early
supper, and engaged guides and a horse that we might set out at once
to join them.
Our baggage and little stores we had carried up from the beach, but I
was much annoyed at hearing one of the men, on lifting my
portmanteau, remark it was "damned heavy."
"Do you think we are such fools as to travel without powder and ball
in time of war?" said I, and hoped it had passed unnoticed; but the
fellow threw it down outside the house door, saying lead would not
suffer for a little fresh air, at which old Colin Dearg laughed, and
said:
"No doubt such gentlemen will have their ruffles there. I will carry
it in myself."
"Don't think of it," said I, much put out, and, raising it, I placed
it in a corner of the room where I could easily keep my eye on it,
and wished from the bottom of my heart we could set off.
Old Colin Dearg was most offensive, although pretending to an extreme
courtesy. He disclaimed having seen Creach, or Graeme, since the day
before, but we were certain this was a blind, as we could see he knew
who the supposed Captain Lynch was, and kept pushing him with
questions about the Imperial service, until I feared for the latter's
temper. But nothing could move Father O'Rourke when he had not a
mind to it, and he rattled on as though he noticed nothing.
The old man pretended to rate the women who were preparing our
supper, but I knew well it was all a pretext, though why he was
anxious to keep us I could not make out. At length, when he could
delay no longer, we sate down in a great room, but, to my dislike, in
total darkness, save for the little blaze on the hearth and what
light could reach us through the open door. This was bad enough; but
on sitting down with the officers, and a Mr. Gordon, who was to be of
our company, the room was speedily filled with the riff-raff of men
idling about, who took their places behind us.
Colin Dearg would not sit down with us, but pretended to busy himself
bustling about and shouting out orders to the women and
encouragements to us to eat heartily of his fare, which he called by
all the wretched names in the world, though it was good enough. I
was most uneasy, but Father O'Rourke held the company with his talk,
while I quietly assured myself that my portmanteau was safe, though I
chafed sadly at the precious time we were wasting. At length I put
ceremony aside and insisted we must be off; whereupon we drank a
single glass from our store to Prince Charles's health and better
fortunes, and I rose from the table and went to the corner where I
had left my portmanteau, and my heart almost leaped into my mouth
when I saw it was gone; but at the same time, old Colin said, behind
me, "Never fear, McDonell! You'll lose nothing here; I have fastened
your things on the pony myself."
So out we went into the starlight, and there found the pony loaded
with our belongings, and with short farewells set off with Mr. Gordon
and our guides on our night march.
We could not speak of our feelings before Mr. Gordon, but I knew
Father O'Rourke had enjoyed our entertainment as little as myself; so
all night long we tramped, gathering such news as we might from our
companions of the battle, which was vague but disheartening enough.
At daybreak we arrived at a very considerable house--indeed, a
gentleman's seat--which Mr. Gordon informed us was that of McKenzie
of Dundonald, to whom we were recommended by old Colin Dearg, who was
his uncle. Dundonald was at Inverness, whither he had gone that he
might not be suspected of favoring the Prince's cause, but his lady
was at home.
We led our pony into the court-yard, and there unloaded him, where
Mr. Gordon declared he could accompany us no farther, his shoes being
worn out.
"Very well," said I, "after we have a nap I will provide you with a
second pair I have in my portmanteau."
But no; he would have them now, so he might try them on, and,
accordingly, to humour him, I undid the upper straps of my
portmanteau. Scarcely had I done so than I saw the leather had been
slit.
My cry of dismay brought Father O'Rourke and Mr. Gordon over me at
once, and with shaking hands I undid the straps and threw it open.
The larger canvas-bag, which held the thousand guineas, was gone!
"O God in Heaven," I groaned, sinking on the ground, "that there are
such damned scoundrels in this world!" And for the first time since
a child I could not restrain myself, and burst into tears.
Father O'Rourke turned over the things, but I knew it was useless,
and then said, in the strangest, dryest kind of voice:
"Well, I call on you to witness this happened in Scotland, and in the
Highlands."
"Stop, sir," I cried; "this is intolerable! None of your insulting
reflections on countries. There are more rogues hanged in Ireland
than ever existed in Scotland."
"Yes, we find the quickest end to put them to is a rope's end."
"Look you here, sir, you have done nothing but insult me from the day
you met me, and had you any right to the sword you carry, I would
read you a lesson that would last you to the end of your life!"
"Thankful am I," he returned, as cool as ever, "that I never was
under such a school-master. But let us spare our iron for those
scoundrels, and especially for that smooth-tongued, red-headed,
black-hearted Colin Dearg. If I could only have my left hand
comfortable on his dirty throttle. I wouldn't need the other to feel
his pulse with. Cheer up, Giovannini! If we've any luck we'll have
it safely back, and you'll hand it to the Prince yet. Courage, my
lad! Surely old campaigners like you and me are not to be outfaced
by a lot of sneaking blackguards like these!"
"I'll lay my soul," I said, slowly, having forgotten all my rage--and
I believe now Father O'Rourke only provoked me to distract my
attention from my trouble--"I'll lay my soul that scoundrel Creach is
at the bottom of this!"
"Like enough," he answered, for he had been back, though that smooth
tongued fox denied it. "And what's more, Giovannini, I'd be curious
to know if the Prince ever received the money he carried. I doubt
it."
"So do I; but let us get back. First, though, I must put the rest of
our money in safety. I must see Lady Dundonald."
"Faith, I don't suppose her ladyship is thinking of stirring for
hours yet."
"Never mind, she must stir this time, for I cannot stand on ceremony."
So I sent a message to her chamber, with Captain McDonell's
compliments--my rank as Lieutenant commanding my late Company
entitled me to claim the title--and saying that he must instantly
have speech with her.
She very civilly returned that I might use the freedom I asked; upon
which I went to her bedroom, where I found her maid in attendance.
"Madam, only the distressing circumstances in which I am placed will
excuse my intrusion, for which I offer my apologies." Thereupon I
told the circumstances of the robbery. "I return at once with my
comrade, Captain Lynch, and, please God, will recover the money; but
I am quite aware, if circumstances so fall out, these rascals will
not hesitate to add murder to robbery. Therefore, madam, I place
these five hundred guineas in your honourable keeping. If I am
killed, I bequeath them to you to be handed on to One you know
of"--not caring to be more particular, for in such times "least said
is soonest mended"--"if not, I will return to claim them. The only
satisfaction I have is that we discovered the theft on arriving at
your house, for I must certainly have blamed your people and not
those passing under the denomination of officers and gentlemen.
Madam, may God be with you, and I wish you a good-morning."
So I bowed myself out of the room, handing the gold to the maid.
I found our guides refused to return, and evidently Mr. Gordon had no
stomach for the business, though he was clearly innocent. However,
we offered so high a figure that at length one volunteered, and,
wearied though we were, we set out.
We wasted neither time nor words by the way, until we came in sight
of Laggy, when we called a council of war.
"My advice is to send the man in, call out the officers--particularly
Colin Dearg, whom I would shoot on sight--and then make inquiries,"
said Father O'Rourke.
"You're learning the ways of the country quickly," I said, with some
raillery. "No; we'll tax Colin Dearg with the theft, and pretend we
do not suspect the others in the least, and so can urge them to use
their influence with him to return the money. Much may be done by an
appeal to their honour, if they think we don't suspect them."
"Then they've the finest sense of honour for a lot of truculent
cowards I ever met with," he answered.
"Now there you are mistaken, Father O'Rourke; a Highlander may be
truculent, but he is not of necessity a coward, and it is rarely that
his sense of honour entirely deserts him."
"Not even when he is a thief?"
"No, not even then--if you know how to take him. And besides this,
remember, if my people are still in arms, we will have that money
wherever they have stored it, and a vengeance on every McKenzie in
the country. As it is, no one knows of my return as yet, and if we
are killed these scoundrels have only to produce the letters which
they will find on me from the Duke of York, and not only escape all
punishment, but probably claim a reward as well."
"Well, well, I agree. You know the breed better than I," he said;
and so we came out in front of the house and sent our man in with
word to Colin Dearg and the officers that we would speak with them.
With a little delay they appeared, and after them trooped out about
thirty men, all armed.
"The top of the morning to you, gentlemen! What service can I and my
poor house render you?" sneered that old scoundrel, Colin Dearg.
We saluted the officers, but took no notice of him or his words, and
I addressed myself to them.
"Gentlemen, I have been robbed of one thousand guineas as we supped
with you in this house. Were it a trifle of money of my own, I would
rather lose it than bring any honourable man under so vile an
imputation, but I was entrusted with the money for Prince Charles,
God bless him! and I know I can rely on your aid in its recovery."
[Illustration: "'FINE WORDS! BRAVE WORDS!' HE SNEERED"]
There was not a move, and I looked at each face in vain for some
response, but they only glowered at me as if I had never spoken.
Then throwing all pretence aside, I went on:
"Do I need to urge that with this money men can be kept together, who
will otherwise scatter, if not for safety, at least to provide for
families helpless and alone? That this money will keep them at their
posts? That each guinea of it may mean a drop of the Prince's blood?
And that the man who has robbed me of it to-day may be as guilty of
murder before his God as if he had pistolled the Prince with his very
hand? Gentlemen! Gentlemen! I would not plead for myself! I plead
for One who has the highest claims over us all that one man can have
over another. I ask your help in the name of God's anointed King,
and in the name of the Prince, his son!" And there I stopped, for I
had no other words in my heart.
Old Colin Dearg immediately broke into loud lamentations: his house
was disgraced forever; he would never lift up his head again; never
had such a thing happened to a McKenzie; and it was a black day that
ever brought such a tale to his old ears, and so on. He would search
the house till not a stone remained standing; he would strip his
people of their skin, if need be, rather than such an imputation
should lie against his honour, and that of his name; and forthwith
disappeared among his people, pretending to search and question them.
We allowed this empty work to go on, until he saw fit to return with
word that the money could not be found.
"No, it cannot be found, you lying, red-headed, old scoundrel," said
I, "because you think yourself safe now! But you keep it at your
peril! for a day will come when you will wish your thieving fingers
were burned to the bone before they touched the Prince's gold, you
double-dyed traitor!"
"Fine words! Brave words!" he sneered, planting himself well in
front of his following, with arms a-kimbo. "A likely story that the
likes of you, two broken men, skulking over here from France with
baggages loaded with stones, trying your foreign thieves' tricks with
quiet gentlemen, should have a thousand guineas! I don't believe a
word of it!" And thereon he turned off into the house with a good
show of carelessness, no doubt thinking it unwise to trust our
patience any further.
"Now, gentlemen," said Big William Killcoy, "the country is unsafe,
and you are far from home, but your road is open before you!"
"The game is up," I said to Father O'Rourke, in Italian, "we had
better beat a retreat," which we did with sore hearts but in good
order; and they said not a word further, nor did they attempt to
molest us as we once more plodded the bitter miles that lay between
us and Dundonald.