The collected writings of Dougal Graham "Skellat" Bellman of Glasgow: edited with notes: Together with a Biographical and Bibliographical Introduction, and a Sketch of the Chap Literature of Scotland: by George MacGregor: In two volumes |
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 | CHAP. X. The collected writings of Dougal Graham |  |
CHAP. X.
Charles' flight. Arrival in the Isles. Hardships, hidings and narrow escape.
The Prince from Badenoch that night,
Over the mountains took his flight.
With only six in's company,
And one who led them on the way.
O'er many a rock, thro' glens they past,
And to Invergary came at last.
About two hours ere break of day;
But none within that house did stay,
Only one servant, the laird being gone,
Bed or provisions there were none:
No drink but water to be had,
On the cold floor he made his bed,
All in their clothes thus sleeping lay,
Till near the middle of the day:
Having had no sleep five nights before,
And little food, you may be sure.
No bread or cheese there could they find,
Or ought to eat of any kind.
No living poultry could they get;
But in the water found a net,
Wherein two salmon were present,
Which they took as a blessing sent,
And on them heartily did dine,
Having no liquor but Adam's wine.
Then to their journey set again,
For Donald Cam'ron's at Glen Bean,
Where they arrived late that night,
Thro' Lochiel's country, 'twas their fright
Of being known by friends or foes:
He drest himself into Burke's clothes,
The rest be'ng gone but only three,
No more was in his companie.
Then on the morrow, the eighteenth day,
To Clan-Ronnald's country took their way,
And in Mewboll lodged that night,
Being kindly us'd, but still in fright,
Delay'd next day some hours, to hear
How all was gone; but yet for fear
They quit their horse, and took the hill,
O'er mountains climb'd scarce passible,
To Arisaig or Borasdale:
And here themselves they did conceal
At Kinloch Moidart, where they lay,
Not knowing what to do or say.
There came lord Elcho and O'Neil,
Who to their Prince did plainly tell
How all had gone at Inverness,
Since the fatal day of their distress;
That all the Clans were scattered,
So as rally again, they ne'er cou'd;
For the Duke had parties ev'rywhere
To burn and plunder, none did spare
Who with them were the least concern'd,
So where to flee must be determin'd.
Here Sullivan and many more
Their council gave as bad's before,
Their Prince to flee into some isle,
And there to ly incog. a while,
Sending for one Donald MacLeod,
Who knew the isles and safest road.
And while they were a-planning this,
An alarm came for to dismiss,
A party coming was that way,
Direct as knowing where they lay,
Then to the woods all of them fled,
Took sundry ways be'ng sore afraid.
The Prince himself bewilder'd ran,
And with him there was not a man,
Being thus dejected and all alone,
Thro' the wild woods he made his moan.
While thus he melancholy lay,
MacLeod came past on's road from Sky;
The Prince cried boldly, What art thou?
And he reply'd, What's that to you?
My name's MacLeod, from Gaultergill,
I'm not afraid it to reveal.
Then said the Prince, 'Tis thee I want,
I am the man who for thee sent,
The Son of your King, your Prince I am,
And for your pity here I came.
On you, Donald, myself I throw,
Do what you will, prove friend or foe.
Then Donald, in tears, stood all amaz'd,
With dumb surprize he on him gaz'd:
My Prince, my Prince and here to lurk!
Oh! this would move the heart of Turk,
To see the turns of time and fate,
From honour to a wretched state;
I'm old, I'm old, thus did he cry;
Yet t'serve my Prince I'd live and die.
Then said the Prince, Since it is so,
With these two letters, wilt thou go,
To Sir Alexander? though that he
And th'laird of MacLeod's my enemie,
I'll yet their clemency request,
If humanity lies in their breast,
In noble hearts pity is found,
They'll land me safe on German ground.
No, no, said Donald, that will not do;
For now they're both in search of you:
But my service sha'n't cost you a groat,
Near this there lies an eight oar'd boat,
Get all you have, ready on sight,
And we will go on board this night.
Over the mountains took his flight.
With only six in's company,
And one who led them on the way.
O'er many a rock, thro' glens they past,
And to Invergary came at last.
About two hours ere break of day;
But none within that house did stay,
Only one servant, the laird being gone,
Bed or provisions there were none:
No drink but water to be had,
On the cold floor he made his bed,
All in their clothes thus sleeping lay,
Till near the middle of the day:
Having had no sleep five nights before,
And little food, you may be sure.
No bread or cheese there could they find,
168
No living poultry could they get;
But in the water found a net,
Wherein two salmon were present,
Which they took as a blessing sent,
And on them heartily did dine,
Having no liquor but Adam's wine.
Then to their journey set again,
For Donald Cam'ron's at Glen Bean,
Where they arrived late that night,
Thro' Lochiel's country, 'twas their fright
Of being known by friends or foes:
He drest himself into Burke's clothes,
The rest be'ng gone but only three,
No more was in his companie.
Then on the morrow, the eighteenth day,
To Clan-Ronnald's country took their way,
And in Mewboll lodged that night,
Being kindly us'd, but still in fright,
Delay'd next day some hours, to hear
How all was gone; but yet for fear
They quit their horse, and took the hill,
O'er mountains climb'd scarce passible,
To Arisaig or Borasdale:
And here themselves they did conceal
At Kinloch Moidart, where they lay,
Not knowing what to do or say.
There came lord Elcho and O'Neil,
Who to their Prince did plainly tell
How all had gone at Inverness,
Since the fatal day of their distress;
That all the Clans were scattered,
So as rally again, they ne'er cou'd;
For the Duke had parties ev'rywhere
To burn and plunder, none did spare
Who with them were the least concern'd,
So where to flee must be determin'd.
169
Their council gave as bad's before,
Their Prince to flee into some isle,
And there to ly incog. a while,
Sending for one Donald MacLeod,
Who knew the isles and safest road.
And while they were a-planning this,
An alarm came for to dismiss,
A party coming was that way,
Direct as knowing where they lay,
Then to the woods all of them fled,
Took sundry ways be'ng sore afraid.
The Prince himself bewilder'd ran,
And with him there was not a man,
Being thus dejected and all alone,
Thro' the wild woods he made his moan.
While thus he melancholy lay,
MacLeod came past on's road from Sky;
The Prince cried boldly, What art thou?
And he reply'd, What's that to you?
My name's MacLeod, from Gaultergill,
I'm not afraid it to reveal.
Then said the Prince, 'Tis thee I want,
I am the man who for thee sent,
The Son of your King, your Prince I am,
And for your pity here I came.
On you, Donald, myself I throw,
Do what you will, prove friend or foe.
Then Donald, in tears, stood all amaz'd,
With dumb surprize he on him gaz'd:
My Prince, my Prince and here to lurk!
Oh! this would move the heart of Turk,
To see the turns of time and fate,
From honour to a wretched state;
I'm old, I'm old, thus did he cry;
Yet t'serve my Prince I'd live and die.
Then said the Prince, Since it is so,
170
To Sir Alexander? though that he
And th'laird of MacLeod's my enemie,
I'll yet their clemency request,
If humanity lies in their breast,
In noble hearts pity is found,
They'll land me safe on German ground.
No, no, said Donald, that will not do;
For now they're both in search of you:
But my service sha'n't cost you a groat,
Near this there lies an eight oar'd boat,
Get all you have, ready on sight,
And we will go on board this night.
To this the Prince did well comply,
They went in search of all was nigh,
To wit, brave O'Neil and Sullivan
With Allan M'Donald of Elen-o-ron,
Alex. M'Donald, Edward Burke,
And four stout men the boat to work,
Donald MacLeod was pilot too,
No more were in his retinue.
For store they had four pecks of meal,
A pot they bought for making kail:
This was on April twenty-sixth,
They put to sea, full sore perplext,
At the same place he came on shore,
When first he landed the year before.
Dark was the night, the wind blew high,
The rain drove on, black was the sky,
No deck or cover was to be got,
Pump or compass had they not;
Before the wind they durst not stand;
Because they knew not where to land:
In all the Isles were armed men;
But in what place they did not ken.
Ev'ry wave threat'ning their last,
And shipt great seas, which o'er them past;
Yet kept above from sand and rock,
Till to morrow 'bout seven o'clock,
They made Rushness-point, on the long isle,
Call'd Benbecula in Gallic style,
Two hundred miles in eight hours space,
Past many a rock and dang'rous place,
Where militia boats were out on spy,
Which otherwise he'd not got by:
But this vi'lent storm they could not stand,
All fled for shelter to the land.
They went in search of all was nigh,
To wit, brave O'Neil and Sullivan
With Allan M'Donald of Elen-o-ron,
Alex. M'Donald, Edward Burke,
And four stout men the boat to work,
Donald MacLeod was pilot too,
No more were in his retinue.
For store they had four pecks of meal,
A pot they bought for making kail:
This was on April twenty-sixth,
They put to sea, full sore perplext,
At the same place he came on shore,
When first he landed the year before.
Dark was the night, the wind blew high,
The rain drove on, black was the sky,
No deck or cover was to be got,
Pump or compass had they not;
Before the wind they durst not stand;
Because they knew not where to land:
In all the Isles were armed men;
But in what place they did not ken.
Ev'ry wave threat'ning their last,
And shipt great seas, which o'er them past;
Yet kept above from sand and rock,
171
They made Rushness-point, on the long isle,
Call'd Benbecula in Gallic style,
Two hundred miles in eight hours space,
Past many a rock and dang'rous place,
Where militia boats were out on spy,
Which otherwise he'd not got by:
But this vi'lent storm they could not stand,
All fled for shelter to the land.
Now on this isle they landed were;
But found no house or shelter there,
Except an old stye of a byre,
Wherein they kindled up a fire,
Shot a cow and did her boil,
And made fine brochan of her oil.
The place was hollow and remote,
Upon dry land hauld up their boat;
But when they view'd the raging sea,
They prais'd their Maker heartilie,
To think what dangers they'd come by
'Twixt the isles of Cole, Mull and Skye.
But found no house or shelter there,
Except an old stye of a byre,
Wherein they kindled up a fire,
Shot a cow and did her boil,
And made fine brochan of her oil.
The place was hollow and remote,
Upon dry land hauld up their boat;
But when they view'd the raging sea,
They prais'd their Maker heartilie,
To think what dangers they'd come by
'Twixt the isles of Cole, Mull and Skye.
The storm it still increased high'r,
For fourteen hours it blew like fire.
They spy'd, for dangers, round about,
And then to sleep their prince was put.
No bed-clothes but the sail all wet,
Without straw, bolster, or a matt,
Where cows had lain all night before,
A poor palace without a door,
A bed of state, all wet with shern:
This may the great humil'ty learn.
Here they remain'd for nights two,
Until the storm did overblow:
And then for Stornaway set sail,
But meeting with a desp'rate gale,
Were drove on Scalpa-isle, or Glass,
Which to one MacLeod belonging was,
By whom they wou'd been gripped fast;
But for a shipwreckt crew they past,
Old Sullivan the Prince's father,
And ev'ry one gave names to other.
They said, they were to Orkneys bound,
And here great lenity they found
From Donald Campbell, a farmer there,
Who for a passage did prepare
A boat of his own for Stornaway.
Which went off on the first of May,
With Donald MacLeod, his trusty guide,
Who went a vessel to provide,
To get to the Orkneys by all means:
For there he thought to meet with frien's,
Who, well he knew, would use their pow'r,
To land him on the German shore.
And in three days a message came,
That a ship was ready at his deman'.
Another boat was mann'd with speed,
And to Storn'way they did proceed,
Landing upon MacKinnon's ground
At Loch Seaforth, then to walk round,
Long thirty miles, upon their foot,
Before to Ayrnisk point they got.
None with him but only Sullivan,
Brave O'Neil and another man,
Who was to guide them on the way;
Yet by good chance led them astray:
Long eighteen hours this stage it was,
Through a long Muir all wet to plash:
But had they come the nearest way,
They had been catch'd in Stornaway.
About a half mile from the town,
Faint and weary they all sat down,
And sent their guide for Donald MacLeod,
To bring refreshment if he cou'd,
Who brought them brandy, cheese and bread,
Which cheer'd their hearts in time of need.
Then took him to Lady Kildoun's,
The only friend found in that bounds,
Who kindly did them all intreat
And well refresh'd he went to sleep.
For fourteen hours it blew like fire.
They spy'd, for dangers, round about,
And then to sleep their prince was put.
No bed-clothes but the sail all wet,
Without straw, bolster, or a matt,
Where cows had lain all night before,
A poor palace without a door,
A bed of state, all wet with shern:
This may the great humil'ty learn.
Here they remain'd for nights two,
Until the storm did overblow:
And then for Stornaway set sail,
But meeting with a desp'rate gale,
Were drove on Scalpa-isle, or Glass,
Which to one MacLeod belonging was,
172
But for a shipwreckt crew they past,
Old Sullivan the Prince's father,
And ev'ry one gave names to other.
They said, they were to Orkneys bound,
And here great lenity they found
From Donald Campbell, a farmer there,
Who for a passage did prepare
A boat of his own for Stornaway.
Which went off on the first of May,
With Donald MacLeod, his trusty guide,
Who went a vessel to provide,
To get to the Orkneys by all means:
For there he thought to meet with frien's,
Who, well he knew, would use their pow'r,
To land him on the German shore.
And in three days a message came,
That a ship was ready at his deman'.
Another boat was mann'd with speed,
And to Storn'way they did proceed,
Landing upon MacKinnon's ground
At Loch Seaforth, then to walk round,
Long thirty miles, upon their foot,
Before to Ayrnisk point they got.
None with him but only Sullivan,
Brave O'Neil and another man,
Who was to guide them on the way;
Yet by good chance led them astray:
Long eighteen hours this stage it was,
Through a long Muir all wet to plash:
But had they come the nearest way,
They had been catch'd in Stornaway.
About a half mile from the town,
Faint and weary they all sat down,
And sent their guide for Donald MacLeod,
To bring refreshment if he cou'd,
Who brought them brandy, cheese and bread,
173
Then took him to Lady Kildoun's,
The only friend found in that bounds,
Who kindly did them all intreat
And well refresh'd he went to sleep.
So Donald return'd into the town,
And found all to confusion grown,
Above two hundred in arms were,
And furich ha nish every where.
A clergyman from the South Uist
He sent a letter, for truth almost,
That the Prince, with above five hunder,
Was coming for to burn and plunder.
Then Donald to their Chiefs did go,
And curs'd and swore it was not so:
For the Prince has not got a man but three,
And I one of his number be.
So gentlemen, think what you do,
Lest, when too late, you come to rue;
For if Seaforth himself were here,
A hair of's head you durst not steer;
For, if you kill him, or catch alive,
Think not for such an act to thrive.
This island lies far out at sea,
In faith it will revenged be
By favourites he hath abroad,
So stop your fury, cries brave MacLeod,
For surely, gentlemen, if you do it,
Your babes unborn may come to rue it.
And found all to confusion grown,
Above two hundred in arms were,
And furich ha nish every where.
A clergyman from the South Uist
He sent a letter, for truth almost,
That the Prince, with above five hunder,
Was coming for to burn and plunder.
Then Donald to their Chiefs did go,
And curs'd and swore it was not so:
For the Prince has not got a man but three,
And I one of his number be.
So gentlemen, think what you do,
Lest, when too late, you come to rue;
For if Seaforth himself were here,
A hair of's head you durst not steer;
For, if you kill him, or catch alive,
Think not for such an act to thrive.
This island lies far out at sea,
In faith it will revenged be
By favourites he hath abroad,
So stop your fury, cries brave MacLeod,
For surely, gentlemen, if you do it,
Your babes unborn may come to rue it.
Then said they, Well, since it is so,
Out of this island let him go;
For if the rabble come to hear it,
They'll do it through a zealous sp'rit.
The wind is fair and so be gone,
We'll still the people and send them home.
Keep all right snug and let none know
Whether he's in this isle or no.
The boatmen hearing of such a rout,
And fearing what might be their lot,
Two with the boat fled to the sea,
And two up to the muirs did hie.
Out of this island let him go;
For if the rabble come to hear it,
They'll do it through a zealous sp'rit.
The wind is fair and so be gone,
We'll still the people and send them home.
Keep all right snug and let none know
Whether he's in this isle or no.
174
And fearing what might be their lot,
Two with the boat fled to the sea,
And two up to the muirs did hie.
MacLeod and Burke, here left on shore,
Went to their Prince with hearts full sore.
Cry'd Sullivan, We'll take the hill,
No, said the Prince, We'll stand it still:
Since here is friendship in the least,
Take ye no fear, we'll be releas'd,
So in that night return'd again
Their boat from sea, with the two men;
But the other two who took the hill,
Where they ran I cannot tell.
Next morn they put to sea again,
Though hard beset for want of men,
Having only three who understood
Either to row, or sail to crowd.
For store they got two pecks of meal,
Brandy, beef, butter and ale,
So bid adieu to brave Kildoun,
As to the Orkneys they were boun'.
Went to their Prince with hearts full sore.
Cry'd Sullivan, We'll take the hill,
No, said the Prince, We'll stand it still:
Since here is friendship in the least,
Take ye no fear, we'll be releas'd,
So in that night return'd again
Their boat from sea, with the two men;
But the other two who took the hill,
Where they ran I cannot tell.
Next morn they put to sea again,
Though hard beset for want of men,
Having only three who understood
Either to row, or sail to crowd.
For store they got two pecks of meal,
Brandy, beef, butter and ale,
So bid adieu to brave Kildoun,
As to the Orkneys they were boun'.
But to the south as they did steer,
Two English ships there did appear,
Which made them all in haste to turn,
And put into the isle of Euirn,
A desart place, where none abode,
One mile in length, another broad,
Where fishers oft frequent by day;
But seeing them all fled away,
Thinking they were the King's press-boat,
Their fish behind was all forgot,
Both fresh and drying on the rock,
Of Cod and Ling, the poor men's stock;
And here they stay'd a day or two,
Until the ships were out of view,
And on the fish well did they fare,
Although their lodging was but bare,
An old hut, like a swine's stye
Which fishers us'd to occupy:
They had no bed but heathry feal,
The hut's roof cover'd with the sail.
They roasted fish and brandy drank,
No host they had to pay or thank.
For what they did the fishers bereave,
He was amind money to leave:
But Donald says, No not a snishing;
For that would cause a strong suspicion,
That some good fellows had been here;
Therefore be not so mad, my dear,
For 'tis the men of wars' men's way,
To take all fish, but not to pay.
Two English ships there did appear,
Which made them all in haste to turn,
And put into the isle of Euirn,
A desart place, where none abode,
One mile in length, another broad,
Where fishers oft frequent by day;
But seeing them all fled away,
Thinking they were the King's press-boat,
Their fish behind was all forgot,
Both fresh and drying on the rock,
Of Cod and Ling, the poor men's stock;
And here they stay'd a day or two,
Until the ships were out of view,
And on the fish well did they fare,
175
An old hut, like a swine's stye
Which fishers us'd to occupy:
They had no bed but heathry feal,
The hut's roof cover'd with the sail.
They roasted fish and brandy drank,
No host they had to pay or thank.
For what they did the fishers bereave,
He was amind money to leave:
But Donald says, No not a snishing;
For that would cause a strong suspicion,
That some good fellows had been here;
Therefore be not so mad, my dear,
For 'tis the men of wars' men's way,
To take all fish, but not to pay.
Now here to stay they thought was vain,
On the tenth of May set sail again,
And back to Scalpa came once more,
Where they were kindly us'd before,
And offer'd money for men and boat;
But such a thing could not be got,
To venture with them out to sea,
To Noraway or Germanie.—
But here they found danger to stay,
So in all haste they put away;
For men in arms in ev'ry place,
In search of him were in full chace.
Ships and boats watching by sea,
So without fresh store they're forc'd to flee:
And coming past the South of Uist,
An English ship before they wist,
Commanded by one Ferguson,
For three full leagues came chasing on:
They kept by shore, to windward lay,
Till in the Loch call'd Esca-bay.
Got on an island, and then by chance,
Wind contrary rose and drove them thence.
Rain and fog did favour shew,
So who they chac'd they did not know.
Well, said Charles, I see my lot
Is neither to be drown'd nor shot,
Nor can they e'er take me alive,
While wind and rain against them strive.
Yet piercing hunger's hard command:
For here no fresh water they fand,
And to big isles they durst not go;
But such as were a mile or two.
On the tenth of May set sail again,
And back to Scalpa came once more,
Where they were kindly us'd before,
And offer'd money for men and boat;
But such a thing could not be got,
To venture with them out to sea,
To Noraway or Germanie.—
But here they found danger to stay,
So in all haste they put away;
For men in arms in ev'ry place,
In search of him were in full chace.
Ships and boats watching by sea,
So without fresh store they're forc'd to flee:
And coming past the South of Uist,
An English ship before they wist,
Commanded by one Ferguson,
For three full leagues came chasing on:
They kept by shore, to windward lay,
Till in the Loch call'd Esca-bay.
Got on an island, and then by chance,
176
Rain and fog did favour shew,
So who they chac'd they did not know.
Well, said Charles, I see my lot
Is neither to be drown'd nor shot,
Nor can they e'er take me alive,
While wind and rain against them strive.
Yet piercing hunger's hard command:
For here no fresh water they fand,
And to big isles they durst not go;
But such as were a mile or two.
So here they were so hard bestead,
Of salt water they dramack made,
And of it hastily did eat,
Hunger for sauce, made it good meat.
If e'er I mount a throne, said he,
I'll mind who din'd this day with me.
A bottle of brandy then he took,
And to them all drank better luck.
So then for Benbecula,
They hoisted sail, and steer'd awa':
And landed there among the rocks,
Where Crab-fish and Partan flocks,
To fishing these, with speed went all,
And soon did fill a wooden pail.
The hut was two miles from the shore,
Where Charles carried this store,
Lest suspicion should arise,
This he did for mere disguise:
And when near to this hut they drew,
Such a cottage one did ne'er view,
On feet and hands they crawled in,
Sowre was the smoke their eyes to blin':
Then Edward Burke digg'd down the door
And made the entry somewhat more.
Twas here Clan-Ron. did visit make,
To see what measures they could take,
For sending him to France again,
To see him so, it gave him pain,
No shirts he had excepting two,
And these unwash'd like dish-clouts blue;
Sculking, lurking, here and there,
A prey to all like hounds on hare,
Though in times of prosperity,
He was extoll'd most gallantly.
Thus he no longer here could trust;
But to Cardail into South Uist,
He caus'd him to remove and go,
And did provide for him also
Bread, brandy, wine and clothes,
And such necess'ries as he chose.
Of salt water they dramack made,
And of it hastily did eat,
Hunger for sauce, made it good meat.
If e'er I mount a throne, said he,
I'll mind who din'd this day with me.
A bottle of brandy then he took,
And to them all drank better luck.
So then for Benbecula,
They hoisted sail, and steer'd awa':
And landed there among the rocks,
Where Crab-fish and Partan flocks,
To fishing these, with speed went all,
And soon did fill a wooden pail.
The hut was two miles from the shore,
Where Charles carried this store,
Lest suspicion should arise,
This he did for mere disguise:
And when near to this hut they drew,
Such a cottage one did ne'er view,
On feet and hands they crawled in,
Sowre was the smoke their eyes to blin':
Then Edward Burke digg'd down the door
And made the entry somewhat more.
Twas here Clan-Ron. did visit make,
177
For sending him to France again,
To see him so, it gave him pain,
No shirts he had excepting two,
And these unwash'd like dish-clouts blue;
Sculking, lurking, here and there,
A prey to all like hounds on hare,
Though in times of prosperity,
He was extoll'd most gallantly.
Thus he no longer here could trust;
But to Cardail into South Uist,
He caus'd him to remove and go,
And did provide for him also
Bread, brandy, wine and clothes,
And such necess'ries as he chose.
At this time the faithful MacLeod,
In Campbell's boat the sail did croud,
And steer'd for the main land again;
How matters stood he long'd to ken
With brave Lochiel and Murray too,
And have their council what to do.
Murray's answer was, My money's gone,
And help from me you can get none.
Then Donald laid out what cash he had
For liquor and for other trade,
Whereof his master stood in need,
And so return'd again with speed,
Being only eighteen days away,
Which to his Prince seem'd a long stay.
No counsel he brought, as I heard tell;
But ev'ry man do for himsel,
Which made his Master quite amaz'd,
And for a time he on him gaz'd:
It pierced Donald's heart to see
A Prince into such misery,
Confin'd into a stinking stye,
And 'bove his head two hydes of kye,
To skonce away the sooty rain.
And all his clothes in dirty stain.
At this time soldi'rs came to Raski,
An island, in length but miles three,
Lying 'twixt Barra and South Uist;
And therefore flee again he must.
In Campbell's boat the sail did croud,
And steer'd for the main land again;
How matters stood he long'd to ken
With brave Lochiel and Murray too,
And have their council what to do.
Murray's answer was, My money's gone,
And help from me you can get none.
Then Donald laid out what cash he had
For liquor and for other trade,
Whereof his master stood in need,
And so return'd again with speed,
Being only eighteen days away,
Which to his Prince seem'd a long stay.
No counsel he brought, as I heard tell;
But ev'ry man do for himsel,
Which made his Master quite amaz'd,
And for a time he on him gaz'd:
It pierced Donald's heart to see
A Prince into such misery,
Confin'd into a stinking stye,
And 'bove his head two hydes of kye,
178
And all his clothes in dirty stain.
At this time soldi'rs came to Raski,
An island, in length but miles three,
Lying 'twixt Barra and South Uist;
And therefore flee again he must.
The Prince, O'Neil and Sullivan,
Edward Burke and Donald the man,
Just from the foot of Corradail,
In Campbell's boat they did set sail,
And landed in the isle of Ouia,
From South Uist not far awa',
And there they stayed a few nights;
But constantly were in sad plights:
For armed boats still passing by,
They knew not where to hide or ly.
Charles, O'Neil and a sure guide,
Went thence unto Rushness to hide;
But was not there above nights two,
Till information was all thro',
Where he lodged at Rushness,
Which trusty Donald did distress:
So he, that night, with Sullivan
Set sail, to save him if they can,
And got him once more safe on board;
But wind and rain upon him pour'd:
So at Ushness point they shelter took,
And lodg'd under a clifted rock.
This storm it did the whole day blow,
And then at night they came to know
Of a party, distant, but miles two:
So to sea again they're forced to go.
And as they steer'd to Loch Boisdale,
One of the sailors a swearing fell,
He saw a boat full of Marines,
Which prov'd a rock at some distance.
Cry'd, Hardy weather, and ship about,
Then to Celie-stella that night they put.
On next day Donald spy'd afar,
Two sail of English men of war;
Yet here they stayed for some days,
And could not rest in any ways.
Hearing captain Scot on shore was come
At Kilbride, two miles off from them.
Thus now they all were forc'd to part,
Their Prince went off with heavy heart,
And with him took none but O'Neil,
Whose heart he found as true as steel.
Two shirts apiece, for baggage they took,
Tied up into a wallet or pock,
Around the Prince's neck and shoulder,
Like master and man they trudge together.
So here we leave them for a while
In lonesome caves and mountains wild.
Edward Burke and Donald the man,
Just from the foot of Corradail,
In Campbell's boat they did set sail,
And landed in the isle of Ouia,
From South Uist not far awa',
And there they stayed a few nights;
But constantly were in sad plights:
For armed boats still passing by,
They knew not where to hide or ly.
Charles, O'Neil and a sure guide,
Went thence unto Rushness to hide;
But was not there above nights two,
Till information was all thro',
Where he lodged at Rushness,
Which trusty Donald did distress:
So he, that night, with Sullivan
Set sail, to save him if they can,
And got him once more safe on board;
But wind and rain upon him pour'd:
So at Ushness point they shelter took,
And lodg'd under a clifted rock.
This storm it did the whole day blow,
And then at night they came to know
Of a party, distant, but miles two:
So to sea again they're forced to go.
And as they steer'd to Loch Boisdale,
One of the sailors a swearing fell,
He saw a boat full of Marines,
Which prov'd a rock at some distance.
Cry'd, Hardy weather, and ship about,
179
On next day Donald spy'd afar,
Two sail of English men of war;
Yet here they stayed for some days,
And could not rest in any ways.
Hearing captain Scot on shore was come
At Kilbride, two miles off from them.
Thus now they all were forc'd to part,
Their Prince went off with heavy heart,
And with him took none but O'Neil,
Whose heart he found as true as steel.
Two shirts apiece, for baggage they took,
Tied up into a wallet or pock,
Around the Prince's neck and shoulder,
Like master and man they trudge together.
So here we leave them for a while
In lonesome caves and mountains wild.
The others two days hover'd near,
And sunk their boat through perfect fear,
Both night and day lay in the field,
Nought but the sails they had for bield,
The red coats swarming all around,
And yet by chance none of them found.
Then Donald MacLeod he went away,
And was ta'en at Slate in isle of Sky,
By Allan M'Donald, the laird of Knock,
Who him on board the Furnace took,
Where gen'ral Campbell and Ferguson
For to examine him thus began—
Gen.
And sunk their boat through perfect fear,
Both night and day lay in the field,
Nought but the sails they had for bield,
The red coats swarming all around,
And yet by chance none of them found.
Then Donald MacLeod he went away,
And was ta'en at Slate in isle of Sky,
By Allan M'Donald, the laird of Knock,
Who him on board the Furnace took,
Where gen'ral Campbell and Ferguson
For to examine him thus began—
Was you with the Pretender, or was you no?
Heth was I, quoth Donald, and that you know.
Gen.
Do you know what's bidden for his head?
Thirty thousand pound, a bra' sum indeed!
Prutish, quo' Donald, it's no worth a straw,
Her ain sound conscience is better nor't a':
Tho' I'd got Scotland and England, a' for my pains,
I wadna see him hurt, for your muckle gains.
180
Wad I kill him, or drown him, or gie him to you.
And deil care what ye do, he's now far awa',
The win ran awa' wi'm, the like you ne'er saw:
For the win and water, Sir, did sae combine,
Carri'd him twa hunder mile in aught hours time,
They thought Donald a fool of the honest kind,
He confessed so freely all to their mind,
Suppos'd the Prince might lurking stay
Into the isle of St. Kilday,
A little island which does stand,
Far nor-west from isles or land,
The property of the laird MacLeod,
A barren soil, and poor abode,
Famed most for Soland Geese;
Sea fowl and fish their living is:
And there they thought, as Donald spake
The Young Pretender for to take.
Poor Donald to London they sent away,
Where he twelve months in prison lay;
Yet got his liberty at last,
When the act-indemnity was past.
Gen'ral Campbell with an armed fleet,
Around St. Kilda came complete,
Which frightened the poor natives there,
Who ran to holes like fox or hare:
And when they reach'd the wretched shore,
They catched some who to them swore,
That none did in that place sojourn,
But who were in St. Kilda born:
Of a Pretender they nothing knew;
But what they heard of a boat's crew,
How the laird MacLeod had arm'd his men,
To fight against some ill woman,
Who lived somewhere far away;
And this was all they had to say.
So the gen'ral soon return'd again
181
And here we'll leave the Prince a while,
Who hunted was from isle to isle,
O'er hills and mountains, wood and glen,
As afterwards I'll let you ken.
Poor Edward Burke was left alone,
For now companions had he none,
Lodg'd in a cave for weeks three,
Ate Dulce and Lampets from the sea:
In short, he thought he would turn wild,
Seeing no man, woman, or child;
Till an honest Souter and his wife,
Agreed for to sustain his life,
For two long months, he said, and more,
Some meat each night they to him bore,
Their like was not in all North Uist,
For to pity rebels no man durst:
Because ev'n at that very time,
It had been made a mighty crime,
Read from the pulpits by the priests,
That none should pity man or beasts,
Who had along with Charlie been,
Give them no victuals, nor close their een
In sleep, or warm within a door,
Or excommunicate to be therefore,
Besides, the pains of milit'ry law,
Hanged or shot one of the twa.
Who hunted was from isle to isle,
O'er hills and mountains, wood and glen,
As afterwards I'll let you ken.
Poor Edward Burke was left alone,
For now companions had he none,
Lodg'd in a cave for weeks three,
Ate Dulce and Lampets from the sea:
In short, he thought he would turn wild,
Seeing no man, woman, or child;
Till an honest Souter and his wife,
Agreed for to sustain his life,
For two long months, he said, and more,
Some meat each night they to him bore,
Their like was not in all North Uist,
For to pity rebels no man durst:
Because ev'n at that very time,
It had been made a mighty crime,
Read from the pulpits by the priests,
That none should pity man or beasts,
Who had along with Charlie been,
Give them no victuals, nor close their een
In sleep, or warm within a door,
Or excommunicate to be therefore,
Besides, the pains of milit'ry law,
Hanged or shot one of the twa.
Of this act I know not what to say,
Since Solomon speaks another way,
And a great, yea wiser King than he,
Bids us to feed our enemie,
And give him water for to drink:
For me, I know not what to think.
But Burke of all at last got free,
When th'act of grace gave libertie,
And home to Edinburgh came again,
For's love to Charles got nought but pain,
And yet if Charles return, to morrow,
He vows he'd go tho' on a barrow.
Since Solomon speaks another way,
And a great, yea wiser King than he,
Bids us to feed our enemie,
And give him water for to drink:
For me, I know not what to think.
But Burke of all at last got free,
When th'act of grace gave libertie,
And home to Edinburgh came again,
For's love to Charles got nought but pain,
182
He vows he'd go tho' on a barrow.
| CHAP. X. The collected writings of Dougal Graham | |