The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-12-27
but what does CrOttach mean?''

"Anaster yes. but what does Crottach mean?'
asked the king.
1T means the humpback"
Yes that's the man, and crafty, plausible old
gentleman he IS He got charter under the Great
seal of all his lands from father dated the 18th
came 10 the Throne he ASKED for a Similar baer from
which signed the 18th of February last. Its
conditions seemed TO be most advantageous to him,
for that was required OF him was that he should
keep for my a galley of twenty-six oars. and
likewise keep the peace am not aware whether
the galley has been built or not but there is GER
tainly very little peace where a Macleod has clay
more in his hand Now Jamie. the MacLeods are
do were the kings crown your head"
Il should withdraw their charter, said MacDon-
"That seems but just" concurred the king: "stin
I doubt if friend the humpback places very much
knows he holds his lands he holds his sword his
81 @ e v 91le rSi5Nlls ~Len ne oses ms s5IP on
withdrawn and the MacLeOds laughing defiance at US.
Next would raise an army and march against
him and make him laugh on the other side of his
Hum, said the king; Il thinking, jamie, there
are lions in that path
hams the Stewards. the McNabs would rise not
AGAINST you but Tor YOU deghted TO be led by their
your force large enough do without them.
Among the MacDonalds alone could guarantee YOU
an army. You forget that the Highlandman is al
ways anxious for warfare Leave Stirling with
thousand men and you VIII have ten thousand before
at the shores of Sleat"
1T may all be you say, jamie. Perhaps the
Highlands would rise with me instead Of against
but a prudent commander must not ignore the pos
sbiity Of the reverse. However from all this
am qeslrous OF queiIng me military ardor Of the
Highlands not of aUgmentng it. It's easy enough
setting the heather fire in dry weather but he is
wise prophet VINO tells where the conhagrauon ends
would rather carry bucket of water than sword,
even though it may be heavier"
III Your Majesty win tell me what you have
solved upon, then L shall very blithey give you my
opinion il. 1T is always easier to criticise the
plans OF another than 10 put forward sensible plans
of ones own"
You are right in that jamie and the remark
SHOWS nave CHOSEN wise councllor. very Well
then. have never seen the renowned island of skye
They tell me it is even more picturesque than Stirling
itself 7 propose then don disguise visit Skye
and ind out if I can what the turbulent islanders
at least deal the better with them for being ac-
Your Majesty does not purpose going alone2 cried
Macdonald in amazement
Certainly not. ] shall be well guarded
All that is a different matter, and exactly what
You advised an army. which shall not take with
and by the still potent right arm. if 1 may
lieve his statement of my friend Jamie MacDon-
fou.,eill get yourself ont of Stirling" continued
to my castle Of Doune and wait until / come which
may be in day i'm week"
Ny advice has been sighted 50 far said Mac
Donald yet must give you another piece Of IT,
We are going in htleish country. I advise you to
1t will do the Highlanders good to see what ships
and Noah could build a boat When we come up into
country We'll get gillie two that
be depended on to wait on us Then if we are nipped
one or oJher OF tlese glllles can easily steal boat
and make for the fleet with your orders TO the ad-
THAT is not a bad plan, jamie" said the King
and we viii arrange il suggest"
The court wondered greatly at the sudden dsap-
pearance OF James Macdonald. but none dared to
make inquiry some thinking nc had escaped to the
north, others that dungeon i'm Stirling Castle might
reveal his whereabouts. The King spent three days
in settling those affairs of the realm which demanded
immediate attention. left Sir Donald Sinclair in tenn
porary command. and rode off to DOune Castle.
From this stronghold there issued morning
before daylight two Wel-mOuuted young men. who
struck in northwesterly direction for the wild High
land country As it unadvisable for them to
tented themselves with ordinary fishing boat
which spread sail when the winds fair, and de
pended the of the when the sea was
calm They we're accompanied by two gilies, who
were intended to be useful ordinary occasion
and necessary in case Of emergency for the boat
its to wait in any harbOr of Skye that
determined upon and carry news TO Loeb TorTidOn
If the presence Of the feet was deemed necessary.
The scattered village of POrtree climbed up steep
activity, and the royal party rounded the head
land and in sight of the place it seemed as If
the Inhabitants knew distinguished visitor was