Page:History of the Scottish rebellion, 1745.pdf/4

 suitable, for the circumstances and designs of the Prince, and the very centre of the country where his friends resided — the McDonalds, the Camerons, the Stuarts, and many others.

They having settled that the Gathering of the Clans should take place in Glenfinnan, the Prince sent letters to all the chiefs from whom he had any chance of assistance, desiring them to meet him there. On the 18th of August, he was joined by Cameron of Lochiel with his clan; by McDonald of Clanronald with his clan; by the clan of the Stuarts of Appin; and the clans of McDonalds of Keppoch, Glengary, and Glencoe. Here the Marquis of Tullibardine, whose rank entitled him to the rearing of the standard, flung upon the mountain breeze, that "meteor flag," which was soon to spread woe and terror over the peaceful vales of Britain. It was a large banner of silk, with a white space in the middle with the motto,. The appearance of the standard was hailed by a burst of pipe-music, and enthusiastic shouts. Tullibardine then read a manifesto in the name of King James VIII, with a commission of Regency, in favour of his son Charles. In the evening McDonald of Keppoch arrived himself with 300 men, having commenced hostilities in their march to join him, by attacking two companies of the Royal Scots, whom they made their prisoners, and presented to the Prince as a happy omen of his future success.

By this time, the government was informed that the Prince had landed in the Highlands and sent strict orders to Sir John Cope, general of the king's forces in Scotland, to take all possible care to prevent him from making his party formidable, and if possible to take him alive or dead; and as an inducement to this, a reward of £30,000 was