ample
would carry such weight. It was all-important to gain him to the cause.
No one saw more clearly than Locheil the hopelessness of the
undertaking, no one was more unwilling to lead his clansmen to what he
knew was certain destruction. He would see the Prince, he said, and warn
him of the danger and entreat him to return. 'Write to him,' urged
Locheil's brother, 'but do not see him. I know you better than you know
yourself. If this Prince once sets eyes on you he will make you do
whatever he pleases.' It was but too true a prophecy. When all argument
had failed to move Locheil's prudent resolution, Charles exclaimed
passionately, 'In a few days, with a few friends, I will raise the Royal
Standard and proclaim to the people of Britain that Charles Stuart is
come over to claim the crown of his ancestors, to win it or perish in
the attempt. Locheil, who, my father has often told me, was our firmest
friend, may stay at home and learn from the newspapers the fate of his
Prince.' It was more than the proud, warm heart of the chief could
stand. 'No,' he cried with emotion, 'I will share the fate of my Prince,
and so shall every man over whom nature and fortune has given me any
power.'

Even before the Royal Standard was raised an unexpected success crowned
the rebel arms. The Government had troops stationed both at Fort
Augustus and Fort William. The latter being in the heart of the
disaffected district, the commanding officer at Fort Augustus despatched
two companies of newly-raised men to its assistance. This body, under a
Captain Scott, was approaching the narrow bridge which crossed the Spean
some seven miles from Fort William; all at once a body of Highlanders
appeared, occupying the bridge and barring further passage. Had the
troops plucked up courage enough to advance they would have found only
some dozen Macdonalds; but the wild sound of the pipes, the yells of the
Highlanders, and their constant movement which gave the effect of a
large body, struck terror into the hearts of the recruits; they wavered
and fell back, and their officer, though himself a brave man, had to
order a retreat. But the sound of firing had attracted other bodies of
Macdonalds and Camerons in the neighbourhood. All at once the steep,
rough hillside seemed alive with armed Highlanders; from rock and bush
they sprung up, startling the echoes by their wild shouts. In vain the
disordered troops hurried along the road and rushed across the isthmu