Matheson Collection > Macleods of Dunvegan from the time of Leod to the end of the seventeenth century

176 THE MACLEODS OF DUNVEGAN
his boat to the head of Loch Seaforth, and the rest of the
journey was performed on foot. After a stormy night,
in which they endured frightful hardship, they reached
Armish, opposite Stornoway, about ii a.m. on May 5.
feut the chartering of a ship had failed. The Storno-
way people, though not hostile, would give no help.
On May 6 they started back, and after spending a night
on the open moor, regained Campbell's boat. They
were delayed by meeting some English frigates, and did
not reach Scalpay till May 10. Campbell's share in
sheltering them had become known, and he had gone
into hiding, so they pushed on south. Off both Rowdell
and Loch Maddy they were chased by English men-of-
war, but escaped on each occasion.
On May 12 they reached Loch Uskavagh in Benbecula,
and took shelter in a miserable hut. On May 14 they
went to Corradale in South Uist, where they were hos-
pitably received by MacDonald of Corradale. Here
they remained till June 6. But the net was being drawn
closely round them, and for another three weeks they
were constantly on the move, passing through incredible
hardships, and escaping capture with great difficulty.
Finally, on June 28, the Prince started with Flora
MacDonald for Skye, having taken an affectionate leave
of the faithful Donald MacLeod.
Donald MacLeod was arrested on July 5 and taken
to London, but was set at liberty on June 10, 1747, and
helped by Bishop Forbes to return to Scotland. A
Mr. Walkinshaw presented him with a silver snuffbox,
suitably engraved, as a memento of all he had done for
the Prince. Thus, if our clan under its Chief was opposed
to the Prince, one of our clansmen rendered him services,
during two months of danger and hardship, no less
valuable and devoted than those of Flora MacDonald
herself, and his name deserves to live alongside of hers
through all time, for both displayed the same loyalty.