Life of Flora Macdonald and her adventures with Prince Charles

34
whole kingdom or elsewhere, can boast of one-half the
number of distinguished men, in all the departments of the
public service, as Skye can do.*
In some of these excellent schools Flora received the
ground-work of her education. Owing to this, and to the
excellent training of which she had the benefit under the
hospitable roof of Lady Clanranald, her mind was, at a com-
paratively early age, well stored with rudimental knowledge,
as well as deeply imbued with a veneration for the Highland
system of clanship, and with loyalty to the exiled house of
Stuart.
According to the request of Lady Margaret, preparations
were made for Flora's departure to Skye, by the first favour-
able opportunity that offered itself of a safe passage across
the Minch.t It happened at this time that a sort of pirate
ship frequented the creeks and bays of the Long Island, by
means of which many persons of both sexes were cajoled on
board, made prisoners, and deprived of their liberty.
At these wicked proceedings the natives of the Lews,
Harris, Uist, Benbecula, and Skye became exceedingly
alarmed, and it created much anxiety and confusion among
all ranks and classes of the natives. The authorities in
* A good many years ago, a correct and elaborate computation was made
on competent authority, that during the wars with America and France,
from the middle of the past to the beginning of the present century, the Isle
of Skye furnished the following remarkable number of men for the service of
their Sovereign, viz.: — 10,000 foot soldiers, 500 pipers, 600 commissioned
officers, under the rank of Colonel, 48 Lieutenant-Colonels, 21 Lieutenant-
Generals and Major-Generals, 4 Governors of British Colonies, 1 Governor-
General, 1 Adjutant-General, 1 Chief Baron of England, and 1 Judge of the
Supreme Court of Scotland. Besides this a great number filled offices in
the University, in the Church, and in legal departments.
f The ' ' Minch " is the name of the channel which intervenes between
the Long Island and Skye, which is from 20 to 30 miles in breadth, and is
frequently very rough and stormy.