Life of Flora Macdonald and her adventures with Prince Charles

3ult to say what the result might have been ; but for various
causes he determined to retreat to the Highlands for the
winter, rather than advance on the Capital of the British
Empire, although he was within a hundred miles of it.
From that moment the prospects of the Prince began to
look gloomy. His bright star began to wane, until on the
1 6th of April, 1746, it was completely extinguished on the
bloody moor of Culloden ! On that ill-selected field his
army was broken to pieces by the well-trained forces of the
Duke of Cumberland. His brave Highlanders fell in
hundreds by his side, and he himself became a fugitive and
outlaw in the land of his Royal ancestors. Escaping from the
scene of slaughter and defeat, he withdrew, with all possible
speed, to the western parts of the county of Inverness, in
the hope of effecting his escape by sea to France. In this,
he was, however, for a time unsuccessful.
At Moyhall, the residence of the Mackintosh of Mackin-
tosh, within twelve miles of Inverness, the Prince had a
very narrow escape from falling into the hands of the enemy.
The chief of Mackintosh himself was loyal to the Govern-
ment, and was greatly guided in his movements by his
neighbour, President Forbes of Culloden. Lady Mackintosh,
on the other hand, like many others of her sex, was warmly
favourable to the pretentions of the Prince. By her influence
she privately induced many of her clan to support his cause.
At that time, as related by Cameron in his " Traditions of
Skye," " the Earl of Loudon was at Inverness with nearly
2000 men, and he resolved to secure the Prince as prisoner
before he could be joined by his army, which was marching
from the south. The Earl advanced towards Moy with
1500 men, the advance guard of 70 men being commanded
by Macleod of Macleod. Lady Mackintosh received private
information of the contemplated attack, and sent the Prince