Ossian Collection > Romance of the Highlands

FLORA MACDONALb. 247
The captive was taken to London, probably in the
"Bridge Water," commanded by Commodore Smith.
While the ship lay in Leith Roads a rumour that the
Prince had been captured reached the vessel, and Flora
lamented. "Alas," she said, "I am afraid that now all is
in vain that I have done." To cheer her up a dance was
proposed, but she would not hear of it. Asked if she
possessed any books, she said she had a prayer book, but
regretted the want of a Bible. A friend supplied her
wants, presenting her with two pretty volumes of the
Scriptures. Commodore Smith was a very kind and
humane man and treated her not as a prisoner but more
as a friend. She was not sent to the Tower, but put in
charge of the King's Messenger, William Dick, but
where that functionary lived is not stated. She was soon
given her freedom.
Judged in the light and circumstances of the time her
crime demanded the death penalty. Why then this
magnanimity by the Government?
Up to this they had shown nothing but the greatest
severity, and the reason for the change of front appears
to have been that Flora was the heroine not only of Scot-
land but of the sister country as well. She had risked her
life to save the Prince, and the populace were not
prepared to stand severity in her case now that all danger
to the throne had passed away.
Flora went to stay with Lady Primrose in Essex
Street, and crowds went to visit her there. After her
return to Skye, banquets were arranged in her honour and
attended by all the principal people of the island and
district.
Through all this applause and praise Flora
MacDonald kept her head and was not carried away as
many a one placed in like circumstances might have been.
The Prince of Wales was among those who visited her