The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-27

WflIlnR OF his august SONeEelSU I1c
knows he holds his lands as he holds his
sword, his grip on the one relaxing when
ne loses his grip on the other We viii
suppose, however, the charter withdrawn
and the MacLeods laughing defiance at
us. What next. Macdonald"
Next! l would raise an army and
march against him and make him laugh
on the other side of his crooked mouth"
Hum said the king, Il am thinking,
jamie there are lions in that path
1.-The lions are imaginary, your maj
esty. The Grahams, the Stewards, the
McNabs would rise not against you, but
for you, delighted to be led by their king.
The Campbells themselves must join you,
if your force were large enough to do
without them. Among the MacDonalds
alone L could guarantee you an army.
You forget that the Highlandman is al
ways anxious for warfare. Leave Stir
ling with a thousand men and you will
have ten thousand before you are at the
shores of Sleat.'
at may be all as you say, Jamie. Per-
haps the Highlands would rise with me
instead of against me, but a prudent COM
mander must not ignore the possibility
of the reverse. However, apart from all
this, am DESTROYS of queling the military
ardor of the Highlands, not of augment
ing it. It's easy enough setting the
heath on fire in dry weather. but he is
wise prophet who tells where the con-
fia gration ends. 1 would rather carry 4
bucket of water than sword. even
though it may be heavier"
IF Your Majesty will tell me what you
have resolved upon, then l shall very
blithely give you my opinion on it. 1t is
always easier to criticise the plans of
another than to put forward sensible
plans Of ones own"
you are right in that, Jamie, and the
remark shows l have chosen a wise coun
cilor Very we'll, then. l have never
seen the renowned island of Skye. They
tell me it is even more picturesque than
Stirling itself. l propose, then, to don
disguise, visit Skye and find out If
can what the turbulent islanders want
IF 1 am not able to grant their desire
can at least deal the better with them
for being acquainted"
Your Majesty does not propose going
alone?" cried Macdonald in amazement
Certainly not. / shall be we'll guard
ed"
"Ah, that is different matter, and ex-
actly what l advised"
you advised an army, which l shall
not take with me. / shall be well guarded
by my good right arm and by the stiH
more potent right arm. if 1 may believe
his own statement, of my frienI Jamie
Macdonald Of Sleat.
You will get yourself out of Stirling"
continued the king. las quietly as pos
sible tonight and HE you to my Castle
of Doune, and wait until 1 come, which
may DE N day or in a week"
My advice has been sighted so far,
said Macdonald, yet l must give you
another piece of it. We are going in a
kittleish country. 1 advise you to order
your fleet into some safe cove on the west
coast. 1t will do the west Highlanders
good to see what ships you have, for they
think that no one but themselves and
Noah could build boat When We come
up into my own country We'll get gillie
or two that can be depended on to wait
on us, then, If we are nipped, one or other
of these gillies can easily steal a boat
and make for the fleet with your orders
to the admiral
''That is not a bad plan, jamie" said
the king, "and we will arrange it as you
suggest"
The court wondered greatly at the sud
den disappearance of James Macdonald.
but none dared to make inquiry, some
thinking he had escaped to the north.
others that dungeon in Stirling Castle
might reveal his whereabouts The king
spent three days in settling those affair,
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 next
morning before daylight two well-mounted
young men, who struck in Northwestern
" direction for the wild Highland coun-
try. AS it was unadvisable for them to
enter Skye in anything like state. the
two travellers contented themselves with
an ordinary fishing boat, which spread
sail when the winds were fair. and de-
pended on the oars of the crew when
tho sea was calm. They were hccompan-
led by two gillies, who were intended
to be useful on any ordinary occasion
and necessary in case OF emergency, fol
the boat and it's crew were to wait IN
any harbor of Skye that was determined
upon and carry news to Loeb Torridon ii
the presence of the fleet was deemed ne
cessary.
The scattered village of Portree climbed
up a steep ACTIVITY. and as the royal
party rounded the headland and came i'll
sight of the place it seemed as if the IN
habitants knew distinguished visitor
was about to honor them with lis pres
ence, for the whole population, cheering
and gesticulating, was gathered along the
shore The gillie, however, informed MS
master that the demonstration was prob
ably on the occasion of the launch OF
the handsome ship which they now saw.
covered with flags, riding placidly on the
surface of the bay. She evidently was
new. for her sides We're fresh from the
ak. without stain of either weather or
wave.
at seems the boat is yours" said Mac
Donald to the king, in English. 1t
the twenty six-oared galley that Allastei
Crottach was bound by his agreement
TO build for you. My man tells me that
il is to be taken tomorrow to Dunvegan
Castle, so it is likely to be used by Al
laster Crottach himself before your Maj
esty sets foot in it, for If it had been II
tended only for the king IT would hav
been left here so that it might be con
hoe