The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-12-29

with. The big ship sailed majesticajly
through the narroWs, cast anchor and
fred a salute. \ well canned boat Naa
lowered and roWed to the shore. There
/ stepped from the boat an officer IN u
splendid uniform, followed by a neutco
ant and half a dozen men, one of whom
carried the flag OF Scotland. This COM
pany marched to the cross, which stood
in the centre OF the village, and the
crowd sullenIy followed, with Malcolm
Macleod at their head, not knowing what
the action Of the naval officer might por-
tend, and IN absence OF definite orders
from their chief, hesitating to oppose this
inland march. Many OF these on the fleet
were Highlanders, and the second in com
1nand was one Of them. This man mount
ed the three steps at the foot of the
cross and stood with MS back against
the upright stone. His chief handed hlIa
q roll Ct parchment, and the subordi
rate officer IL q load voice, and in ex-
celIent Gaelic, cried
"A Proclamation from Ills Nest Elk
celient Majesty, James the Fifth OF Scot
l2Ld! God save the Kingt'
At this the chief officer raised his
sword in salute and his men sent up a
cheer, but the aggregation was not see
onded by any OF the large concOurae
there gathered together. Undauntcd ~
this frigid reception the officer unrolled
the manuscript and read its contents IN
q voice that reached to tie furthest out
skirts OF the crowd:
II James Of Scotland, lawful King +
this realm. do proclaim to all loyal sub
jccts that the safety and liberty OF my
land depends on an unconquerable feet,
and that the merit OF the fleet consists
in stout, wellbuilt ships; therefore tie
man whom l, the King. delight 10 honor
is he whose skill produces the best sea-
gong craft, SO l hereon inscrioe the name
OF Malcolm Macleod, master shipbuilder,
a man who has designed and constructed
a boat of which al Scotland has reason
to be proud. The Kings barge OF twenty
and quilt for him By the people Ct Skye,
viii be used as a model for eli shipbuild-
e~s in the Scottish navy.
The reaGer now looked UP from MS
parchment and gazed over the ~asscmblage.
is Malcolm Macleod here?' he asked.
Let him step forward"
The giant, somewhat dazed, walking
Ike q man in q dream, approached the
foot Of the cross. The officer rolled the
proclamation and presented it to the ship
builder, saying:
From the hand Of the King to the
hand OF Malcolm Macleod"
Malcolm accepted it, muttering halt
with a smile, half with a froEn:
'E-gCd, the King knows a good boat
when he gets it,
Then the officer u~plifte1 his sword
and cried:
God save the King and now the hills
around re-echoed with the cheering.
The little company without another
word retraced their steps to the small
beat, and made for the ship which now
facing outward, anchor hoisJed and sails
spread once more, 50 the watching High
Iandecs had q view Of q large vessel su-
pcrbIy managed, as the wes5 wind which
brought her into the harb2r took her
safely out again.
The royal young man had q striking
lesson on the fckleness Of the ~populace
10 one had a good word t. say for
the King; now it was evident that Jane
OF Scotland was the g~reatc-t and Hj>est
monarch that ever sat on a throne.
Malcolm Macleod had been always SC
proud Of his skill that this proclamation
could hardly augment his self esteem. but
il suddenly changed his views regardIne
hiS august overload. IN conversation ever
after it became, L and the King" and
he was almost willing TO admit that
James was very nearly a. great a mar
| as Alexander Macleod OF Dunvegan.