[Illustration: Cover art] [Frontispiece: ALL ABOUT ROB WERE HOARSE CRIES, GROANS, EDDYING SMOKE, AND THE ROAR AND CLATTER OF ARMS.] MUCKLE JOHN BY FREDERICK WATSON AUTHOR OF "SHALLOWS" CONTAINING EIGHT FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR BY ALLAN STEWART LONDON ADAM AND CHARLES BLACK SOHO SQUARE Published September 1914 TO MRS. STEPHEN WILLIAMSON MY FATHER'S FRIEND AND MINE CONTENTS CHAP. FOREWORD I. HOW PRINCE CHARLIE CAME TO INVERNESS II. THE COMING OF MUCKLE JOHN III. THE END OF THE JACOBITE CAUSE IV. FRENCH GOLD V. LOCH ARKAIG VI. THE WATCHERS BY NIGHT VII. BURIED TREASURE VIII. FLIGHT IX. THE TURN OF THE SCALES X. THE LAST FLICKER XI. A NARROW ESCAPE XII. IN THE HANDS OF THE DUKE XIII. MISS MACPHERSON COMES TO FORT AUGUSTUS XIV. MUCKLE JOHN SHOWS HIS HAND XV. "A MUIR-FOWL SNARED" XVI. THE CAVE IN GLENMORISTON XVII. THE HOLDING OF THE PASS XVIII. THE WHISTLE OF THE BANSHEE XIX. THE DANCE OF THE MACKENZIES XX. AN UNWILLING ACCOMPLICE XXI. THE CAPTURE OF LORD LOVAT XXII. MISS MACPHERSON AND THE DUKE XXIII. THE HOUSE OF THE FOUR MEN XXIV. THE END OF A TALE LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS _IN COLOUR_ All about Rob were hoarse cries, groans, eddying smoke, and the roar and clatter of arms (_see_ p. 43) Frontispiece "Madam," said he, "I crave your pardon for this seeming incivility" "I am the Prince," said the man upon the horse He peered through the heather upon the beach The holding of the pass He was in full highland dress, with a claymore at his side He watched one of the men unsheath his dirk and make a gesture significant enough With a great rattle of chains the gibbet's burden dropped with a clatter FOREWORD All the world knows the tale of the Rising of 1745. It is a story that each generation cherishes with undiminished affection. Some have called it the last burst of chivalry in modern history, and doubtless for that reason when other more vital aspects are forgotten, the campaign of Prince Charlie will sustain its fascination and its glamour. In an age peculiarly commonplace and sordid, it carried the spirit of romance well-nigh to the throne itself; in a period almost destitute of loyalty and patriotism it glorified the reckless gallantry and self-sacrifice of devotion. That Charles Edward Stuart could land with only seven followers and carry all before him into the very heart of England is wonderful enough. But that in the days of his misfortune and flight no one was found to claim the reward for his life is finer still. That poor, unarmed, uneducated men were ready to die in hundreds is a testimony not easily forgotten.