Life of Flora Macdonald and her adventures with Prince Charles

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mountain recesses and in the caves of the rocks. The rebel
chiefs were doomed by the Royalists, as far as possible, to
the same fate. The castles and strongholds of Cluny, Kep-
poch, Glengyle, Glengarry, Lochiel, and many besides, were
plundered and burnt to the ground. The devastations
committed by the English army were a stain on humanity,
and were so notoriously cruel that the mere record of them
will prove revolting in every age, and painful to, every gener-
ous mind.
Meanwhile Prince Charles had commenced his wander-
ings in the Western Isles, where he ran many hair-breadth
escapes for his life. It is unnecessary here to give a narra-
tive of his various movements during his hazardous pilgrim-
age in the Long Island.* He had been but a short time
on shore, when many stedfast friends came to know that
his Royal Highness was on the island in concealment. His
whereabouts were always known to some one or other of his
faithful adherents. His wellwishers in the place were
numerous, and of considerable influence. Among them
were Clanranald and his brother Boisdale, Banker Mac-
donell, Mr. O'Sullivan, Mr. O'Neal, the Macdonalds of
Baileshear, and his own " fidus Achates," Donald Macleod
of Galtrigal. Clanranald and his excellent lady had selected
twelve trusty men, whom they had sworn to fidelf.'cy, to act
as messengers and guides to His Royal Highness on every
emergency when their services were required.
Day after day the danger increased and rendered the
situation of the Royal fugitive more and more critical. Of
all this he was fully aware, yet he appeared cheerful and
* Such as desire full information on these points may consult Chambers's
History of the Rebellion, Brown's History of the Highland Clans, Cameron's
History and Traditions of the Isle ofSkye, Jacobite Memoirs, Culloden
Papers, #c.