t
day four of the chief men of the clan waited on Charles, Clanranald,
Kinloch Moidart, Glenaladale, and another who has left us a lively
picture of the meeting. For three hours, in a private interview,
Clanranald tried in vain to dissuade the Prince. Then Charles--still
preserving his incognito--appeared among the assembled gentlemen on
deck. 'At his first appearance I found my heart swell to my very throat
'writes the honest gentleman who narrates the story. His emotion was
fully shared by a younger brother of Kinloch Moidart's who stood on deck
silent from youth and modesty, but with his whole heart looking out of
his eyes. His brother and the other chiefs walked up and down the deck
arguing and remonstrating with Charles, proving the hopelessness of the
undertaking. As he listened to their talk the boy's colour came and
went, his hand involuntarily tightened on his sword. Charles caught
sight of the eager young face, and, turning suddenly towards him cried,
'Will _you_ not assist me?' 'I will, I will; though not another man in
the Highlands should draw a sword, I will die for you.' Indeed, years
after all had failed, young Clanranald prepared a new rising, and had
9,000 stand of arms concealed in the caves of Moidart.

The boy's words were like flint to tinder. Before they left the ship the
hesitating chieftains had pledged themselves to risk property,
influence, freedom, and life itself in the Prince's cause. These gallant
Macdonalds were now willing to run all risks in receiving the Prince
even before a single other clan had declared for him. Old Macdonald of
Boisdale entertained Charles as an honoured guest in his bare but
hospitable Highland house. All the people of the district crowded to see
him as he sat at dinner. The young Prince delighted all present by his
geniality and the interest he showed in everything Highland, and when he
insisted on learning enough Gaelic to propose the king's health in their
native language, the hearts of the simple and affectionate people were
completely gained.

Meanwhile young Clanranald had gone to Skye to try and persuade Macleod
and Sir Alexander Macdonald to join the Prince. It was all in vain;
these two powerful chiefs were too deeply committed to the Government.
Next to these two, the most influential man in the Highlands was Cameron
of Locheil. Indeed, such was the respect felt by all his neighbours for
his gentle and chivalrous character, that there was no one whose ex