"Taking a turn," said I.
"Have you met with anything to vex you?"
"No," said I, smiling.
"Sir," said he, "I ask your pardon, but you went out with an innocent
and harmless countenance, and you come in with a complexion fierce
beyond description."
"Come, come, Mr. McKenzie," said I, laughing, "none of your
scrutinizing remarks; let us have our morning."
"With all my heart," said he, pouring out the whiskey.
I made some cautious inquiries about the man of my morning adventure,
to which Torridon replied he was a stranger to the place, but he
believed him to be probably a soldier in Lord Cromarty's regiment.
As soon as I could decently do so, I took leave of my host and
hastened to put into execution a plan I had formed.
My cousin John, Glengarry, was the head of our family and my chief,
and to him I determined to apply. I therefore set out at once for
Invergarry, where I found the castle entirely dismantled and
abandoned, so that when the Duke of Cumberland appeared somewhat
later he found only bare walls to destroy; but destroy them he did,
so completely that he did not even leave a foundation.
I found Glengarry easily enough, living in retirement in a safe place
among his own people, and paid my respects to him with great good
will; indeed, few chiefs had greater claims than he.
His father, Alastair Dubh, was one of the best warriors of his day,
and had performed feats at Killiecrankie that a man might well be
proud of. There, too, the chief's elder brother, Donald Gorm, fell
gloriously, having killed eighteen of the enemy with his own sword.
His eldest son, Alastair, was now in the Tower of London, a prisoner,
and Æneas, his second, had been accidentally shot at Falkirk six
months before, whilst in arms for the Prince.
He, himself, had not been out, but no more had Clanranald; indeed, in
many cases it was thought best the heads of the families should not
be involved, in the event of the rising not proving favourable; but
this turned out to be a sorry defence in more cases than one, amongst
which was Glengarry's own.
After hearing my story, he said, laughing, "Man! but this would make
a pretty quarrel with the McKenzies if we only had these troubles off
our hands. I would send with you men enough to turn their whole
country upside down, and you might consider the money as safe as if
you had it in your own sporran. But what can I do? You dare not
take any body of men across the country, and, more than that, I
haven't them to send, even if you could. But let us sleep over it,
and we will see what can be done in the morning."
I told him my plan was to go straight to Dundonald, who was an
honourable man, and through him try and work on his uncle, old Colin
Dearg; and could he but provide me with five or six men, by way of a
life-guard, it was all I would ask.
When we parted on the morrow, Glengarry said: "There are your men!
but promise me there will be no lives wasted unless something can be
gained. I have given you five picked men, and they must not be
thrown away; but if the money can be got, and fighting is wanted, you
have five better swords at your back than ever were dreamed of among
the McKenzies; and whether you send them all back or not, I'll be
satisfied so long as you make good use of them."
We made our way with all possible speed and precaution until we
arrived at Dundonald's, and with him I was well pleased, more
particularly at his reception of my plans, and his promise to send
for old Colin and have him meet us at a place appointed.
Thither we all repaired, and after inquiring from Dundonald the
particulars of the house, which I found simple enough, for it was all
one floor without partitions and but a single door, I laid out my
plan of action to my men.
Should old Colin keep the appointment, it would most probably be
after dark, and he was sure to come with a strong following, more
particularly if he suspected I was in the matter, which well might be
the case after my meeting of the previous week. So I determined as
follows: my men should seat themselves just within the door, not
allowing any one to separate them, and see they kept their arms clear
that they might be drawn the moment I made the signal. At this, the
two I named were to keep the door, and the other three pass out and
at once fire the house at both ends, and then return to back up the
others at the door, where they could easily cut down the McKenzies as
they attempted to make their way out.
As for me, I would seat myself between Dundonald and old Colin Dearg,
and at the first serious offensive motion I would do for both of them
at once with my dirk and pistol, knock out the light, and try to make
for the door. If I chanced to get there alive, they would know my
voice, as I would shout our rallying cry, "Fraoch Eilean!" but if I
failed, to see that every soul within perished along with me. There
was a good chance of escaping, as I held the start of the fight in my
own hands, and I counted that between the surprise and the dark I ran
no risk beyond the ordinary. I regretted that my plan should include
Dundonald, but as he was a McKenzie that could not be helped.
I was right in every particular, for it was dark when old Colin
appeared, and he was followed by forty or fifty men, carrying,
apparently, only short sticks, but under their coats I perceived they
had their dirks ready. They entered the house, and, without giving
them a moment to settle or to disconcert our plan, I entered boldly
and seated myself as I proposed, my men keeping together near the
door.
After a short pause, every one eying me and mine, and we returning
it, though without offence, Dundonald mentioned the cause of our
visit in as becoming a manner as the subject would admit of, speaking
in English, so that what was offensive might not be understood by the
men.
"And why, Dundonald, should you come inquiring of me about a matter
of which I know nothing?" asked Colin Dearg, in a silky voice, like
the old fox he was.
"Now, Colin Dearg McKenzie," said I, shortly, "I have neither time
nor stomach for smooth words. You cut that gold out of my
portmanteau with your own hands and kept three hundred guineas of it,
while the other six went to your fellow-thieves. I have it from the
wretch you bribed with twenty-five more to murder me if I saw you at
your dirty work. So none of your lies, but make what restitution you
can, and prove you have some honesty left in you by handing over the
Prince's money."
The old man never made an attempt to defend himself, but after a
minute said, sulkily, "Och, well! There's no use making such a
pother about the matter now; the money is gone, and I cannot give it
back if I would, so there is an end of it all."
"No," I said, in Gaelic, so all might understand; "because the thief
has spent the money that does not end the matter."
"What more would you have?" asked the old man, still sulky.
"The gallows!" I said, firmly; and with a growl the crowd caught at
their dirks; but at the same moment I whipped out my dirk and pistol,
and, covering both old Colin and Dundonald, swore I would kill them
both if the first step was made towards me, and, as I spoke, my men
took possession of the door.
"For the love of God, my children, stand you still--stand you still!"
screamed old Colin, and not a man moved.
Every man in the room was on his feet, crowding towards the table
where we stood, I facing them all, holding both Dundonald and old
Colin as my sureties at the point of my weapons, my men keeping the
door as I knew, though I dared not so much as glance towards them,
and every one strained up to the point of outburst, only waiting for
the next move.
I chose to keep the lead in my own hands. "Now, then! What have you
got to say for yourself?" I demanded from old Colin.
"I might say I have only taken my own," he returned, with amazing
quiet. "But 'tis ill talking with a dirk against one's ribs. Move
it a little from me and let me talk as a gentleman should," he went
on, with a coolness that brought forth a murmur of admiration from
his people.
"Your own?" I cried, amazed at his audacity.
"My own, certainly; and not only mine, but my children's as well!
Think you a few paltry gold pieces will pay the debt of the Prince
towards me and mine? We have given what your gold is as dirt beside!
We have given lives that all the gold under Heaven cannot buy back.
We have broken hearts for his sake that all the louis d'ors in France
cannot mend. I and mine have ruined ourselves beyond redemption for
his Cause, and, when we have winter and starvation before us, why
should I not take what comes to my hand for those nearest to me, when
it can be of no use elsewhere?"
There came answering groans and sighs of approval from his following
at this fine-sounding bombast, and I was at a loss how to cut it
short or see my way to an end, when, taking advantage of my
distraction, he suddenly gave some signal, and, quick as thought, a
blade flashed out beside him, and I only saved myself by a chance
parry with my dirk.
Then I lost control of myself. "Take that, you Red Fox!" I shouted,
and, raising myself, I struck Colin Dearg McKenzie above the
breastbone, so that he went down under my hand like an ox that is
felled. With my pistol-hand I knocked over the only light, and
jumped for the door, shouting "Fraoch Eilean!" and before they could
recover, I had passed out under the swords of my men.
"Fire the thatch now! Fire the thatch!" I shouted; but even as I
spoke the red flame began running up the roof, and our men joined us
again.
Every heart was beating and every arm tingling to begin, for we knew
we could hold the door against any number, but, to our surprise, no
man attempted to make his way out, though the dry thatch was
beginning to crackle and discommode us with its glare. There was a
silence like the dead within.
I approached the door. "Dundonald! What is the matter with you,
within? Come out yourself alone, and I give you my word of honour
you shall go unharmed. Then let the others come as they can."
"McDonell!" he called back. "Colin is dead. They have no heart for
fighting."
"Then let them burn! But come you out!" for I could not bear that
he, a gentleman, should perish with cattle such as these.
"That I will never do! We either go out together, or my blood will
be on your hands with theirs!" he answered.
"My God, Dundonald! What folly is this?" I cried, much distressed at
his obstinacy. But there came no sound save the crackling of the
thatch.
My men said never a word; it was my private quarrel, and though I
knew they would be satisfied with whatever I might decide, I was in a
sore quandary what to do, and in my perplexity I leaned towards mercy.
"Dundonald! If they will say together, 'He was a thief and came to
his death by my hand honestly,' and if you will come out to us, we
will stand by and let them depart unharmed. There is no time to
lose; the roof is wellnigh gone!"
At this there was a babel of tongues within, while my men grunted
their approval behind me. Then came a cry from the house: "Red Colin
was wrong, and came to his end fairly and honestly at the hand of
Little John McDonell!"
"That will do!" I cried. "Come you out first, and the others may
follow!"
We stood off to one side, prepared against any sudden rush; but
Dundonald stepped out of the door alone, sheathing his sword as he
did so, and placed himself in our midst. Then appeared four men
bearing the stalwart body of old Colin Dearg between them in a plaid,
and after trooped the others. They passed us without a word or look,
and kept on their way in silence up towards the hills, not even
turning when the roof crashed in, sending a shower of sparks and
flame into the darkness overhead.
"Dundonald," I said, when the night had shut them out from us, "I
trust you bear me no ill-will for this business? My hand could not
reason when it baulked his last treachery."
"No, McDonell," he answered, with much openness, "he was my kinsman
and I owed him my support, but, now that he is gone, I will never lay
his going against you." And thereupon we shook hands and parted very
good friends.
On my return to Glengarry, I was supported by his approval of my
action. And, after giving suitable acknowledgments to the men,
dismissed them and made my way back to Crowlin, where I found them
much disturbed at my long absence, and fearful I had fallen into the
hands of the English.
It was now about the beginning of July, and hearing that the Prince
would most likely be in Skye, Father O'Rourke and I determined we
should take our way thither to volunteer our services, and
accordingly took leave of my father. He was most willing we should
go, and never complained of our leaving, although we could see that
he was daily drawing nearer to his end. But he was anxious about our
apprehension, as many had been taken of late. Major Ferguson had
laid waste the lands of Lansdale, and, among others, my cousin Coll
Barisdale's fine house, Traigh, was burned to the ground. This my
father felt keenly, and felt too that the next blow might fall even
nearer home.
So we crossed over, intending to make for Trotternish, on Lord
McDonald's estate, but heard news soon after landing that the Prince
had gone on, probably to the main-land.
However, we kept on, and after spending the first night with Rory
McDonald of Fortymenruck, pushed as far as Portree, as I thought
Father O'Rourke might as well see the principal place in the Island.
When we reached Portree, we went into a tavern to obtain refreshment
after our march of twenty miles, and desired the landlord to fetch us
something to drink. Upon this he informed us there were gentlemen in
the next room who would like to have the pleasure of our company if
we thought proper to indulge them. I inquired their names, and, on
hearing them, desired him to present our compliments and we would
join their party.
In the next room we found nine or ten gentlemen, some of whom I knew
and others I had heard of, and, after partaking of what they had, I
called for more liquor to our account. While the landlord was
preparing this the door opened, and who should appear on the
threshold but Captain Creach. At the sight of us his white face
turned even a shade paler; however, I could not but admire the
address with which he recovered himself and entered with perfect
assurance, greeting the company, all of whom evidently knew him,
calling him Graeme, as usual. My first impulse was to seize and
denounce him before them all, but Father O'Rourke's hand was on me
under the table, and I reflected that my mission from the Duke not
being yet at an end, I was still bound in my word; so I managed to
conceal my feelings, and when he was introduced I bowed as if I had
never seen him before, which he returned as collected as a
tax-gatherer.
What I had called for now came in, but I noticed that Creach did no
more than touch his lips to his glass, upon which one of the company
rallied him, and I heard him say he did not choose to drink more.
"Why is that, sir?" I said, pretending to be somewhat gone in liquor.
"I try to avoid giving offence," he said, very pointedly, "and
sometimes if I am warmed with liquor I am apt to blunder out
something which might not please."
"Oh, I am not particular as to my company, Mr. Creach," I said,
hoping he might take me up on the name, but he made no move. "I am a
peaceable man myself, and promise you not to take offence at
anything, provided you apologize immediately afterwards. Now, here's
a health I cannot let pass--to my host of last night, Rory McDonald
Fortymenruck!"
He drank with the rest.
I began again at once. "Here's to the Prince and his better
fortunes, and a curse on any one who plays him false!"
He drank this too.
I was thinking out something, more pointed, when he stopped me by
asking why I did not propose the health of my cousin, Allan McDonald
Knock.
Here was an opening as good as another, and I took it.
"Is he a friend of yours?"
"He is, sir."
"Then, sir, I do not drink to him, because he lies under grave
imputations."
"And pray, sir, what may they be?" he asked.
"Oh, I only have them on hearsay," I said, drawing him on.
"And what do you hear?"
"Only that he is a coward and an informer, and, of course, a
scoundrel, whose health any gentleman would refuse to drink," I
answered, mighty cool.
"What!" said he; "do you really believe him a coward?"
"That is his general character."
"Then, sir," said he, "if you will send him a challenge I will bear
it, and if he will not fight you, I will."
"Oh, do not trouble yourself. If you are anxious for fighting, you
have a sword by your side, and so have I. Why lose any time? Out
with you at once, and I will give you all the fighting you can
stomach between this and doomsday," and I made as if I would rise.
As a matter of fact, I would not then have fought with the reptile
for worlds, but since I could not lay hands on him, it was some
little satisfaction to outface him before his company, and I made no
objections when the others interfered, but only thought that Mr.
Creach had added a long bit to his reckoning when he asked me to
drink to the health of Allan Knock in the inn at Portree.