d Macdonald's
gate.

She walked straight in: and as she did so, one of the gentlemen who was
standing before the fire glanced at another who was walking up and down.

"We need no sentinels here, my lord," said the latter in reply to the
glance. "There are none but women and children on the island, and they
are all loyally disposed."

"This is Sir Alexander Macdonald," said the hostess to Annie. And then
she told the chief that this was the Widow Fleming, who had no doubt
come to obtain tidings of her son, who had gone with the company under
Macleod.

"The Lord President will give you more exact news of the company than I
can," said Sir Alexander. "I only know that my people are marched to
Aberdeen to protect that city from the insolence of the rebels."

The President, who was sitting by the fire, looked up kindly, and
cheerfully told the widow that he had good news to give of the company
from these islands. They had not been in any engagement, and were all
in good health when they marched for Aberdeen, a fortnight before. "And
are they all in their duty, my lord?"

"You remind me, friend, that I ought to have put that before my account
of their health and safety. They are in their duty, being proof, so
far, against both threat and seduction from the rebels."

"Thus far?"

"Why, yes; I used those words because their loyalty to the king is
likely to be tried to the utmost at the present time. The king's cause
is in adversity, we will hope only for a short time. The rebels have
won a battle at Falkirk, and dispersed the king's troops; and this
gentleman, the Earl of Loudon," pointing to the one who was standing by
the fire, "and I have had to run away from my house at Culloden, and
throw ourselves on the hospitality of Sir Alexander Macdonald."

"And what will become of your house, my lord?"

"I have thrown my house and fortune into the cause, as you have thrown
something much more important--your son. If you can wait God's disposal
cheerfully, much more should I. I cannot bestow a thought on my house."

"Except," said Sir Alexander, "that you have nothing else to think about
here; and nothing to do but to think, for this day, at least. We must
remain here. So safe as it is, in comparison with any part of Skye, or
even Barra, I should recommend your staying here till we have some
assurance of safety elsewhere."

"I will venture to offer something for the Lord President to think of
and to do," sai