Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 5

FLOE A MACDONALD. 141
, me secret hand in this cruel undertaking, in order to get the people
vay, and to banish them from his extensive estates. Knowing well Sir
ilexander's innocence in this painful matter, her ladyship became quite
Jdignant, and greatly disturbed in her peace of mind. In her husband's
f)sence, she addressed a long letter, dated 1st January 1740, to Lord
[istice Clerk Milton, in which she gave a long and minute detail of the
hole affair. She assured his Lordship that Sir Alexander " was both
jigry and deeply concerned to hear that some of his own people were taken
pvay in this manner, but could not at the time learn who Avere the actors
h. this wicked scrape until the ship was gone." Her ladyship's letter was
fng and interesting, and may be seen in the Culloden papers.
ii When the fact of the existence of this piratical vessel was noised
I broad, sloops and craft of all descriptions were sent by the authorities
li Skye to the Long Island, but they were too late to seize the expected
I rize. Being in the dead of winter, the weather was boisterous and wild,
id the different craft had to lie at anchor in the lochs and bays of the
^laiid. It was, however, arranged that in one of these vessels Flora was
) be accommodated with a passage across the Minsh to Skye, to the hos-
itable residence of Lady Margaret at Monkstadt. One evening she set
lil in the largest of these vessels, and the night being stormy the vessel
i'as driven into Loch Snizort and anchored about sunrise at the " Cran-
(ag," near the mansion-house of Kiugsburgh. Flora was glad to be put
ishore, but finding that the Kingsburgh family were absent at Flodigarry,
lie waUced a few miles to the house of Peinduin, the residence of Captain
loiiuan Macleod, the very house wherein, after an eventful life, she died
bout fifty years thereafter. Next day she made the best of her way to
he residence of Sir Alexander Macdonald at Monkstadt, distant about
ourteen miles. She was warmly received by Lady Margaret, with whom
he remained for about eight months on that visit, with the exception of
stay of a few weeks with her mother at Armadale.
Lady Margaret felt a deep interest in Flora's welfare, being much
iloasud with her prudence, general conduct, and amiable disposition.
Jhe fully revealed her plans to the young lady, and explained to her that
he and Sir Alexander had arranged to pass the winter in Edinburgh, and
'hat they had resolved that she should accompany them and finish her
fsducation in the metropolis. Flora gratefully acknowledged her ladyship's
friendship, and modestly signified her willingness to comply. She then
/isited her mother, to reveal to her the kind intentions of Lady Margaret,
md to obtain her consent, Avhich the old lady readily granted. She bade
•;arewell to her mother, returned to Monkstadt, and matters being
■settled for the removal to Edinburgh, she seized the first opportunity of
Crossing the channel to Ormiclade, and to her brother at Milton.
i It was proposed by Lady Margaret that Flora should visit the metro-
|)olis during the autumn of that season, but circumstances occurred to
prevent it. Lady Clanranold became an invalid at the time, and so did
her brother Angus, at Milton, apparently in both cases from a neglected
cold. Such being the case. Flora's kind, generous heart would not permit
her to leave her dear friends in a state of inconvalesoence ; and
ithere was a remarkable providence in her remaining, as the sloop
Sby which she proposed to sail to Glasgow, on her passage to Edinburgh,
Iwas wrecked on the Mull of Cantyre, and not a single life was saved.