Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/276

258 Macdonald, from the island of South Uist. After leaving the Isle of Skye, Charles entered Loch Nevish, which is not at a great distance (to the west) from the head of Loch Arkeig. Whilst he was skulking in that district, four hundred men, under General Campbell, arrived on one side of him, and five hundred more, under Captain Scott, on the other. These officers gaining some intelligence of him, began to form a circle round him not above two miles distant. In this dilemma he sent to Donald Cameron of Glenpean, who, in the night, conducted him through the guards who were in the pass they were obliged to take; and at one time they were forced to creep upon all fours, so close to the tents, that they heard the soldiers talking to each other, and saw them walking between them and the fires. This was only a prelude to their dangers and difficulties, as they still had to pass through the line of little camps, twenty-seven in number, called the chain. The night was very dark, and Charles's faithful guide, Donald Cameron, passed alone through the chain, by way of experiment. He returned safe, and with success conducted the Pretender through it. Before Donald began this hazardous expedition,