Origins of the 'Forty-five : $b and other papers relating to that rising
History
Origins of the 'Forty-five : $b and other papers relating to that rising
Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746
Neil, who foresaw clearly the danger he would be exposed to, if he
was left with a man who knew not one step of the country, or where to
retire to in case of necessity, absolutely denied to part with the
prince upon any account, and so Mr. O’Neill was obliged to go upon
that expedition; who was mighty well pleased to be entrusted with that
embassy, not so much to further the prince’s affairs, as to be in
company with Miss Flora, for whom he professed a great deal of kindness
at that time. About break of day, the Booman’s wife told Neil that
it was dangerous for them to stay in the house any longer because the
militia were wont to come every morning to buy milk, whereupon Neil and
his pupil went and lodged under a rock pretty near the shore, where the
Booman sent one of his derry maids to give them notice from time to
time, what was passing among their neighbour enemies.
It is almost inexpressible what torment the prince suffered under that
unhappy rock which had neither height nor bredth to cover him from
the rain which poured down upon him so thick as if all the windows of
heaven had broke open, and, to compleat his tortures, there lay such a
swarm of mitches upon his face and hands as would have made any other
but himself fall into despair, which, notwithstanding his incomparable
patience, made him utter such hideous cries and complaints as would
have rent the rocks with compassion.
Neil, who stood all this time aside him, could be of no more service
to him than to let run to the ground the rain which stagnated in the
lurks of the plaid wherein he lay wrapt. In this miserable condition he
continued for about three hours, till their faithful scoote came for
the last time, and told them they might return to the house, for that
the militia was gone; Neil helped him to his feet, and they marched
away to the house, where the good derrymaid took care to make a roozing
fire for their coming. He was no sooner entered but Neil stripped him
of all his clothes from top to toe, and hung rops round the house to
dry them on; he sate down in his shirt at the fireside as merry and
hearty as if he was in the best room at Whitehall.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account