issure in the rocks. Returning once more to South
Uist, Charles (accompanied by O'Neal and Mackechan) found a
hiding-place up in the hills, as the militia appeared to be
dangerously near, and at night tramped towards Benbecula, near
to which another place of safety was found in the rocks.

The memorable name of Flora Macdonald now appears upon the scene.
After much scheming and many difficulties the meeting of the Prince
and this noble lady was arranged in a squalid hut near Rosshiness.
The hardships encountered upon the journey from Benbecula to this
village were some of the worst experiences of the unfortunate
wanderer; and when his destination was reached at last, he had to
be hurried off again to a hiding-place by the sea-shore, which
provided little or no protection from the driving torrents of
rain. Early each morning this precaution had to be taken, as
the Royalist soldiers, who were quartered only a quarter of a
mile distant, repaired to the hut every morning to get milk from
the woman who acted as Charles's hostess. Upon the third day after
the Prince had arrived, Flora Macdonald joined him, bringing with
her the disguise for the character he was to impersonate upon
a proposed journey to the Isle of Skye--_viz._ "a flowered
linen gown, a light-coloured quilted petticoat, a white apron,
and a mantle of dun camlet, made after the Irish fashion, with
a hood."

A boat lay in readiness in a secluded nook on the coast, and
"Betty Burke"--the pseudo servant-maid--Flora Macdonald, and
Mackechan, as guide, embarked and got safely to Kilbride, in
Skye. Not, however, without imminent dangers. A storm nearly
swamped the boat; and upon reaching the western coast of the
island they were about to land, when a number of militiamen were
noticed on shore, close at hand, and as they recognised their
peril, and pulled away with might and main, a volley of musketry
would probably have had deadly effect, had not the fugitives
thrown themselves at the bottom of the boat.

At the house of the Macdonalds of Mugstat, whose representative
dreaded the consequences of receiving Charles, another Macdonald
was introduced as an accomplice by the merest accident. This
staunch Jacobite at once took possession of "Betty," and hurried
off towards his house of Kingsburgh. Upon the way the ungainly
appearance of Flora's maid attracted the attention of a servant,
who remarked that she had never seen such an impudent-looking
woman. "See what lo