among the Hebrides, and the coast was consequently swarming with English ships, in wait to intercept him. Before they had proceeded far, the sight of four vessels drove them to take shelter in the small island of Eiurn or Iffurb, a little to the north of Scalpa. This island was inhabited by a few fishermen, who, seeing the vessels and the boat, concluded that the latter was conveying a pressgang, and were so alarmned that they made the best of their way into the interior. Here Charles staid for four days, lodging in a wretched hovel, the dilapidated roof of which they covered with a sail-cloth, and partly subsisting on the fish which the fishermen had spread upon the rocks to dry. Charles would have left some money in payment for the fish, had not the politic Donald suggested that this would prove they were not a pressgang, and excite an idea that persons of consequence had been there. An attempt to land on Scalpa was frustrated by four fellows laying hands upon the boat the moment it touched the beach; a circumstance which induced them to push out to sea. The wind fell, and they had to row all night, though almost fainting for want of food. In the morning they again hoisted their sail. During this day they had nothing to eat but a mixture called drammock, made of oatmeal and salt water, for of fresh water they had none. This unpalatable composition the prince is said to have eaten with apparent relish. It was washed down with a glass of brandy. Twice, in their way to Benbecula, they were chased for miles by English ships, from one of which they could escape only by running among the rocks, near Roundil point, on the island of Harris. Soon after the prince had landed a storm arose, which blew his pursuers off the coast; on which he exultingly exclaimed, that Providence protected him, and would baffle all the designs of his enemies.

Subsistence being a primary object, the boatmen im

mediately began to search among the rocks for shell-fish. One of them caught a crab, and joyfully held it up to the prince, who seized a bucket and joined in the hunt. The bucket was filled by their conjoint exertions, and Charles, in spite of the remonstrances of his followers, persisted in carrying it for two miles, till they came to the hut where they were to reside. The door-way of this small and dirty hovel was so low, that they were obliged to creep in on their hands and knees. This mode of entrance being by no means pleasant, Charles ordered that a part of the soil round the door should be dug out. From this goodly abode the prince despatched Donald to the mainland, with letters to Lochiel and secretary Murray, desiring a supply of money, and information as to the state of affairs.

The arrival of Charles being made known to the old laird of Clanronald, who had taken no part in the outbreak, that gentleman hastened to him, with wine, provisions, shoes, stockings, and shirts; the last was not the least acceptable of these articles, the linen of the prince having by this time become "as dingy as a dishclout." The wearer himself was in very indifferent plight; his spirits were good, but he had begun to suffer corporeally from his toils and privations; his frame was emaciated, his countenance was haggard. To better in some small degree the condition of his guest, Clanronald removed him to a secluded hut, called the forest-house of Glencorrodale, in the island of South Uist, so situated that, in case of alarm, its inmate could take either to the mountains or the sea. Thither Charles was accompanied by several of his friends; and twelve of Clanronald's dependants were stationed near his retreat, to serve as guards, guides, or messengers. In this place Charles enjoyed the luxury of having two cow-hides, stretched upon four sticks, suspended over his couch, to shield him from the weather. Here he remained for three weeks,

amusing himself with hunting, shooting, and fishing, and sometimes enjoying the society of old Clanronald and his brother Boisdale. While the prince was here, Donald returned empty-handed, as far as regarded money; Murray having told him that he had only sixty louisd'or for himself, and could spare nothing for his master. Donald, however, had not forgotten to purchase and bring back a couple of ankers of brandy.

The situation of the prince in South Uist was one of comparative comfort. But it was too pleasant to last. His indefatigable pursuers were dogging him closely, and he had no alternative but flight or destruction. They had girdled the whole coast of the Hebrides with vessels of all sizes, and the military had orders to sweep the chain of islands from end to end, and leave no corner unexamined. Even the remote island of St. Kilda, whose inhabitants lived in a profound ignorance of war and politics, had been rigorously searched. Already, troops had been landed in Barra and other neighbouring isles, and were preparing to overrun South Uist. Charles, therefore, sought refuge in the petty islet of Wia, was scared from thence by his advancing foes, and found shelter for a few days on the banks of Loch Boisdale, after having encountered a storm and some hostile cruisers. At Loch Boisdale he parted from all his friends, except Colonel O'Niel; after which he removed to a hut near the sea-shore, about a mile from Clanronald's mansion.

The moment at length arrived when to remain on South Uist was impossible, the king's troops being on the advance from both extremities of it. Yet how were the means of escape to be procured? They were furnished by a woman; one whose memory will be honoured as long as courage and compassionate feeling can claim the respect of mankind. There was then visiting at Clanronald's seat a lady, nearly related to him, named Flora Macdonald, whose father-in-law commanded one of

the militia detachments which were searching South Uist. "She was about twenty-four years of age, of a middle stature, and a very pretty, agreeable person, of great sprightliness in her looks, and abounded with good sense, modesty, gentleness, and humanity." In the hope that she might render them service, O'Niel narrated to her the sufferings and imminent danger of the prince, and her womanly pity was excited by the mournful tale. She had an interview with Charles, and consented to convey him to Skye, dressed as her female servant. Under pretence of wishing to see her mother, who was in Skye, she next obtained from her unsuspecting father-in-law a passport, for herself, her male attendant Mac Echan, and her Irish maid Betty Burke. Flora seems to have felt a mischievous pleasure in trying how far she could play upon her step-father; for, on the plea of her mother having a large quantity of flax in store, she actually prevailed upon him to give her a letter, recommending the supposititious Betty Burke as an admirable spinner.

The plan was communicated to Lady Clanronald, who cordially concurred in it. Attire suitable for the assumed character of the prince was provided by the two ladies. It consisted of a coarse cotton gown, with purple flowers upon a white ground, a light-coloured quilted petticoat, and a mantle of dun camlet, made after the Irish fashion, with a hood to it. These articles they carried to the hut where Charles was hidden. When they entered, they found him busied in roasting the liver and heart of a sheep upon a wooden spit, and were much affected by seeing him reduced to this necessity. The prince, who felt that his dignity was not at all compromised, made light of the matter, and remarked that "the wretched to-day may be happy to-morrow." He added, in a more serious tone, that "it would be well if all who were born to greatness had a little of the same experience that he had." They then sat down to dinner;

the prince placing Lady Clanronald on his left hand, and Flora on his right. While they were at their meal, a servant came in haste, to warn Lady Clanronald that Captain Ferguson, with a party of soldiers, was at her house, in quest of the prince. She therefore returned to her home.

A boat had been secured, to convey Charles to Skye, and he now began to prepare for his voyage, by putting on his female apparel. This being completed, he proceeded with Flora towards the beach, and joined the boat's crew. Being wet, and having to wait some time before they could depart, a fire was lighted to dry them. But they had not been long there, when they were startled by the sight of four cutters, full of armed men, sailing along near the shore. The fire was hastily extinguished; they concealed themselves among the heather; and their enemies passed by without being aware of them.

About eight in the evening, on the 28th of June, they quitted South Uist. After they had sailed some distance, the wind rose, and the sea began to swell. Charles, who saw that his companions were ill at ease, did his best to enliven them, by singing pleasant songs, and telling merry stories. At day-break, a wide expanse of water alone was visible, and, the wind having often veered about in the course of the night, they knew not where they were. In a short time, however, the hills of Skye came in sight; and, unconscious of the danger which awaited them there, they made for the point of Waternish, which projects from the north-west corner of that island. They had come within musket-shot of the land, before they perceived that it was covered with soldiers. Hastily reversing their course, they plied their oars vigorously, regardless of the threats of the soldiers. The threats were followed by volleys of musketry; the balls whizzing around the boat on all sides. In this critical