Life of Flora Macdonald and her adventures with Prince Charles

said the Prince, " you see, Donald, I am in distress ; I
therefore throw myself into your bosom, and let you do with
me what you like. I hear you are an honest man, and fit to
be trusted." When the old man, a year after, related these
particulars to the individual who has reported them, the
tears were streaming down his cheeks like rain.
The Prince then proposed that Donald should go with
letters from him to Sir Alexander Macdonald at Monkstadt,
and to Macleod of Dunvegan, solicting their protection.
Donald stared his Royal Highness in the face, and said,
" Is your Royal Highness really in earnest in making such
a mad request ? The chiefs mentioned, you must be aware,
are your enemies, and are at this moment employed in
searching for you in the Isles and elsewhere." " Well, well,
Donald," said the Prince, "all things seem to be adverse
to me, but my good friend, you must at all events pilot me,
and that immediately, to the Long Island." Donald at
once replied that he was ready to be of any service in his
power, and risk his very life in his behalf — but that he
peremptorily declined to be the bearer of any message to
" the two apostate chiefs of Skye ".
In order to put the Prince's plan into execution with all
possible speed, the most expert seamen and the most sub-
stantial boat in the place were procured and equipped at
Borrodale, in the bay of Loch-nan-uagh, near the spot the
Prince first landed at on his arrival in Scotland. The office
of Captain, or headman, was delegated by common consent
to Donald of Galtrigal, who was to steer and pilot the frail
barque on the perilous voyage.
On the evening of the 26th of April the Prince, O'Neil,
O'Sullivan, and others, seated themselves in the boat, but
Donald Macleod, leaning on the gunwale before entering the
boat;, and casting his eyes on the murky clouds all round, ad-