The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, January 10, 1904, Page 8

THE SAN FRANCISCO SUNDAY t Barr.) with himself. admit- t to excel an poem, yndsay ev outdistanced the L and if he ot scruple the the wn that on t not is the cr n face underneath y exaggerations, to the ears k, then,” said Majesty r the tale bearers, “that it e chance he would run his n through my royal person? s little doubt of it, your Maj- esty replied the parasite Ah, well,” commented James, “Kings take their luck like other folk &nd some day Jamie and I may meet on the heather with no other witnesses han the mou: 2ins around us and the blue skv above us, and in that case I shall have to do the best I can. I make no doubt that MacDonald's position in Stirling is less pleasant than my own. He is practically a prisoner, held host- age here for the good conduet of his father, the firebrand of Sleat, so we must not take too seriously the vapor- ing of & youth whose leg is tied. I was once & captive myself to the Douglas, and I used words that would scarcely have been pleasant for my gaoler to hear had some kind friend carried them, #0 I have ever a soft side for the man in thrall” Some weeks after the fll-considered anti-royal threats had been made their premulgator was one of & group in the courtyard of the castle, when the cap- tain of the guard came forward and said the King wished to see him in his private chamber. When James the laird’s son entered the presence of James the King, the latter sald as soon as the captain had left them alone together: “Jamie, my man, you understand the Gaelic, so it is possible you understand who speak it.” f your Majesty means the High- ders they are easily enough under- stood. They are plain, simple, honest bodies who s=peak what's on their ds, and who are always willing in an argument to exchange the wag of the tongue for a swoop of the black knife.” said the King Wwith a they are a guileless, pas- people, easy to get on with if you prehend them, but that is where at a loss and I thought your head ht supplement my own.” am delighted to hear you want my head for no other purpose but that of ng advice,” returned the High- tell, Jamie, your head ttle use to e were it not shoulders. If the head were winsome lassie I might be d to take it on my own shoulder, but otherwize I am well content to ict heads re in where Providence p‘fcvs them,” Whether intentional or not, the King had touched a sore spot when he re- ferred to the laying of a winsome las- sie’s head on his shoulder, and Mac- Donald drew himself up rather stiffly. “In any ploy with the ladies,” he said, “your Majesty has the weight of an ermine cloak in your favor, and we all know how the lassles like mili- nery."” “Then, Jamie, in a fair field, you think you would have the advantage of me, as for example if our carpet were the heather instead of the weaving of &n Eastern loom?” “I just think that,” said MacDonald stoutly s> FFPOPTED THAT A SNP OF WAR KA DIAKING: DIRCCT FOP THE . HAPBOL aa The King threw back his head and laughed the generous laugh of ‘the all- conquering man. ‘E-god, Jamie, my man, we may put that to the test before long, but it is in the high realms of statesmanship I nt your advice, and not in the frivol- of love.” Why does your Majesty wish to have ¥ or asked the Highlande I'll want more than your of is is done with, but I may once that there’s trouble- s courts fore u at some ne Ar Aye MacLeeds up again and down. The - and down on thei: ot fathom the intri- of their disputes, but it may in- st you to know that some of your the zed in it. I s ect that ler MacLeod of Dunvegan is be- 1 this, although he may not be ive participant.” Ah, that is Allaster Crottach,” said knitting his brows. Allaster, but what does Crot- tach mean?” asked the King. It means the humpback. Y that’s the man, and a crafty, plausible old gentleman he is.” He got 8 harter under the great seal of all his lands from father, dated the 15th of young man ves; June, 1468 s did not satisfy him, and when 1 came to the throne he asked for a similar charter from me, which I signed on the 13th of February conditicns seemed to be most to bim, for all that was that he should keep for my v a of twenty-six a likewise keep the peace. I t aware whether the galley has n buiit or not, but there is certainly where a MacLeod has claymore in his hand. .Now, Jamle, MacLeods are your neighbors in Sleat, so tell me what you would do were the King's crown on your head?” “I should withdraw their charter,” said MacDonald. “That seems but just,” concurred the King, “still, I doubt if our friend the humpback places very much value on the writing of his august sovereign. He knows he holds his lands as he hoids his sword—his grip on the one relaxing when he lo his grip on the other. We will suppose, how: r, the charter withdrawn and the MacLeods laughing deflance at us. What next, MacDon- ald?” “Next! I would raise an army and march against him and make him laugh on the other side of his crooked mouth.” ° “Hum,” said the King. “I am think- ing, Jamie, there are lions in the path.” “The lions are imaginary, your Maj- esty. The Grahams, the Stewarts, the McNabs would rise not against you, but for you, delighted to be led by their King. The Campbells themselves must join you, if your force were large enough to do without them. Among the MacDonalds alone I could guaran- tee you an army. You forget that the H landman is always anxious for warfare. Leave Stirling with a thou- sand men and you will have ten thou- sand before you are at the shores of Sleat.” “It may all be as you say, Jamie. Perhaps the Highlands would rise with me instead of against me, but a pru- dent commander must not ignore the possibility of the reverse. However, apart from all this, I am desirous of quelling the military ardor of the High- lands, not of augmenting it. It's easy enough setting the heather on fire in dry weather, but he is a wise prophet who tells where the conflagration ends. I would rather carry a bucket of water than a sword, even though it may be heavier.” “If your Majesty will tell what you have resolved upon, then I shall very biithely give you my opinion on it. It Is always easier to criticize the plans of another than to put forward sensi- ble plans of one’s own.” “You are right in that, Jamie, and the remark shows I have chosen a wise councilor. Very well, then. I have never seen the renowned island of Skye. They tell me it is even more picturesque than Stirling itself. I pro- pose, then, to don a disguise, visit Skye and find out if I can what the tur- bulent islanders want. If I am mot able to grant their desire I can at least deal the better with them for being acquainted.” ““Your Majesty does not propose going alone?” cried MacDonald in amagze. ment. “Certainly not. ' I ‘shall“be well guarded.” “Ah, that is a different matter, and exactly what I advised.” “You advised an army, which I shall not take with me. I shall be well guarded by my good right arm and by the still more potent right arm, if I may believe his own statement, of my friend Jamie McDonald of Sleat. ¢ You will get yourself out of Stir- continued the King, “as|quietly 7rE Guary ON TIIE HEADLAND as possible to-night and hie you to my Castle ¢f Doune, and wait until I come, which may be in a day or in a week “My advice has been slighted so far, said MacDonald, “yet I must give you another plece of it. “We are going in a kittleish country. I advise you to or- der yvour fleet into some safe cove on the west coast. It will do the West Highlanders gocd to see what ships you have, for they think that no one but themselves and Noah could build a boat. When we come up into my own country we’ll get a-gillie or two that can be depended on to wait on us, then, if e afre nipped, one or other of these gillies can easily steal a boat and make for the fleet with your orders to the admiral.” “That is not a bad plan, Jamie,” said the King, “and we will arrange it as you suggest.” The court wondered greatly at the sudden disappearance of James Mac- Donald. but nore dared to make in- quiry, some thinking he had escaped to the north, others that 2 dungeon in Stirling Castle might reveal his where- abouts, The King spent three days in settling those affairs of the realm which demanded immediate attention, left Sir Donald Sinclair in temporary command, and rode off to Doune Castle. From this' stronghold there issued next mornink before daylight two well- mounted young men, who struck in a northwesterly direction for the wild Highland couhtry. At is was unadvis- able for them to enter Skye in anything like state, the two travelers contented themselves with an ordinary fishing boat, which spread sail when ‘the winds were fair, and depended on the oars of the crew when the sea was calm. - They were accompanied by two gillies, who were intended to be use- ful on any ordinary occasion and neces- sary in case of emergency, for the boat and its crew were to wait in any har- bor of Skye that was determined upon and carry news to Loch Torridon if the presence of the fleet was deemed neces- sary. The scattered village of Portree climbed up a steep acclivity, and as the royal party rounded the headland and came in sight of the place it seemed as if the inhabitants knew a distinguished visitor was about to honor them with his presence, for the whole population, cheering and ges- ticulating, was_ gathered along the shore. The gill®, however, informed his master that the demonstration was probably on the occasion of the launch of the handsome ship which they now saw, covered with flags, riding placidly on the surface of the bay. She evident- ly was new, for her sides were fresh from the ax, without stain of either weather or wave. “It seems the boat i§ yours,” said MacDonald to the King, in English. “It is the twenty-six-oared Aalley that Allaster Crottach was bound by his agreement to build for you. My man tells me that it is to be taken to- morrow to Dunyegan "Castle, so it Is likely to be used by Allaster Crottacl himself before your Majesty sets foot in it, for if it had been intended only for the King it would have been left here s0 that-it might be convenlent to the mainland. It has been built by Malcolm MacLeod, the leader of all the people in these parts.” “It 1s, indeed, a beautiful barge,” as- sented the King, admiring the graceful lines of the shin. “But what is that long - haired, = bare - legged cateran screaming about, with his arms going like a windmill? The crowd evidently appreciates his efforts, for they are rapturous in their applause.” “He is saying,” translated ald, after a few moments’ listening, “that the MacLeods are like the eter- nal rocks of Skye, and their enemies like the waves of the sea. Their ene- mies dash against them and they re- main unmoved, while the wave Is shat- tered into infinitesimal spray. So do the MacLeods defy and scorn all who come against.them. The King shrugged his shoulders. “The man forgets that the sea also is eternal, and that it ultimately wears away the @iff. This appears fo be an incitement toward war, then?” “‘Oh, not so,” replied MacDonald. “The man is one of their poets, and he is re- citing an epic he has written, doubtless in praise of Malcolm's boat building.” ““God save us!” cried the King. “Have we, then, poets in. Skye?"” % ““The whole of the Highlands is a land of poetry, your Majesty,” affirmed MacDonald, drawing himself up proud- ly, “although the very poor judges of the art in Stirling may not be aware of the fact.” The King laughed heartily at this. “But nere we have another follower of the muse who has taken the place of the first. What is this one saying?” “He says that beautiful is the western sky when the sun sinks beneath the wave, but more beautiful still is the cheek of the Rose of Skye, the daughter of their chieftain.” 55 ki MacDon- CALL. “Ah, that is betfer and more reassur- ing. I think either of us. Jamle, would rather be within sight of the smiles of the Rose .of Skye than within reach of the claymores of her kinsmen.” BX this time the*assemblage on share became. aware that visitors were ap- proaching, and the acclamation ceased. Malcolm MacLeod himself came for- ward on the landing to greet the new- comers.: He was 3 huge man of about .50, tall a~d weJl proportioned, with an honegt but masterful face, all in all a magnificent specimen of the race, des- tinéd by nature to be a leader of men. He received his visitors with dignified courtesy. “I am James MacDonald, * explained that young man by way of introduction, “son of the Laird of Sleat. We heard you had built a boat for .the King, and 50 have come to sce it. This is James Stuart, a friend of mine from the Low- lands, and I have brought him with me that he may learn what boa(building really is.” 5 “You are very welcome,” said Mac- Leod, “and just in time, for they are taking her round the headland to Dus- vegan to-morrow morning. Aye, she’s a bonnie boat, if I do say it myself, for no oné knows her and what she’ll do better than 1.” “The King should be proud of her,” said MacDonald. - MacLeod tossed his shaggy head and replied with a sneer: “It's little the King knows about boats. He should be playing with a shallop in a tub of water instead of meddling with men’s affairs. Allaster Crottach is our king, and if he gra- ciously pleases to tickle the lad in Stir- ling by saying he owns the boat, All- aster himself will have the using of her. I would net spike a plank for the King, but Iid build a fleet for Allaster if he wanted it. Has your friend the Gaelic? . If he has, he may tell the King what I say when he goes back to the Lowlands.” “No, he has no Gaelic, Malcolm, but I'll put into the English whatever you like to say.” Malco!lm MacLeod took the strangers to his own house, which was the best in the village. Almost the entire popu- lation of the port had been working on the King's boat, and now that it was finished and launched the place had earned a holiday. Malcolm was delight- ed to have visitors who could bear wit- ness to the skill of his designing, ap- preciate the genius of the poets and listen to the skreigh of the piping. The strangers were most hospitably enter- tained and entered thoroughly into the soirit of the festivities. “Lash, Jamie,” said the King to his triend two or three days after tHeir ar- rival, “I might well have ignored your advice about the ships, as I did your base counsel about the army. I need no fleet here to protect me in Skye, where every man is my friend.” “That is very true,” replied MacDon- ald, “but you must not forget that no one has any suspicion who you are. Every one is a friend of James Stuart of the Lowlands, but I hear nobody say a good word for the King.” “What have they against him? asked the Guidman of Bailengeich with a frown. “It isn't exactiy that they have anything against the King,” said MacDonald, perhaps not slow to prick the -self-esteem of hisi comrade, “but they consider him merely a boy. of small weight in their affairs one way or another. They neither fear him nor respect him. The real monarch of these regions is the humpback in Dunvegan Castle; and even if they knew you were King, your stermest command would have no effect against his slightest wish, unless you haa irresistible force at the back of you.” “Ah, Jamie, you are simply trying to justify the bringing of the fleet round Scotland.” “Indeed and I am not. The only ase to- which yow.can put your fleet will be to get you away from here in case of trouble. As far as its force is com- 14 simply cerned, these islanders wou take to the hills and defy it. “Ah, well,” sald the King, “T'll make them think better of me before I am done with them.” The week’'s festivities were to end with a grand poetical contest. All the bards of the island were scribbling; at any rate, those who could write. But this Homeric competition was endan- gered by disquieting news brought to the island by the fishermen. They re ported that a powerful fleet had been seen rounding the northern coast of Scotland, and was now making toward the south. This unexpected intelligence seemed to change Instantaneously the attitude of the islanders toward their two guests, The King’s alertness of mind saved the situation. He had brought with him from Stirling, “in case of emer- gencies, several sheets of blank parc ment, each bearing the Great Seal Scotland. Once more the useful Mac- Donald was his amanuensis. A procla- mation in Caelic was written and the signature of James IV inscribed thereon. This document was inclosed with & communication containing di- rections to the admiral of the fleet, and MacDonald intrusted the packet to one of his gillies, with ors that sail should be set for Loch Torridon, and the message given to the officer in co mand. Three days later th fsland was immeasu when the guard on the ed that a ship of w t for the harbor. dispatched full gallop Castle to inform the h ferment on the bly increased dland report- as making di- A horseman was to Dunvegan ad of the lan of the mysterious the two me followed so soog by the approach a Dbelligerent vesse But before messenger was ten mMes on his way the ceremony was over and done with majestica The big ship sailed through the parrows, ca: fired a salute. A well-rhanne lowered and rowed to the shore stepped from the boat'dn officer splendid un llowed by a 1 tenant and half a dozen men, one of whom carried the flag of Scotland. Thia (company marched to the cross, which stood in the center of the village, and the crowd sullenly followed, with Mal- colm MacLeod at their head, t knowing what the action of the naval officer might porfend, and in absence of deflnite orders* from their chi hesitating to oppose this inland march. Many of those on the fleet were High- landers, and the second in command was one of them. This man mounted the three steps at the foot of the cross and stood with his back against the upright stone. His chief handed him & roll of parchment, and the subordi- nate officer in a loud voice, and in ex- cellent Gaelie, cried: “A proclamation from his Most Ex- cellent Majesty, James V of Scetland! God save the King!™ At this the chief officer raised his sword in salute and his men sent up a cheer, but the aggregation was not sec- onded by any of the large concourse there gathered. Undaunted by this frigid rece the officer unrolled the manuscript and read its contents in g veice that reached to the farthest oufskirts of the crowd: “I, James of Scotland, lawful King of this realm, do proclaim to all loyal sub- jects that the safety and liberty of my land depends on an unconquerable fleet, and that the merit of the fleet consists in stout, well-built ships; therefore the man whom I, the King, delight to honor is he whose skill produces the best sea- going craft, I hereon inscribe the name of Malcolm MacLeod, master shipbuilder, a man who has designed and constructed a boat of which all Scotland has reason to be proud. The King’s barge of twenty-six oars, planned by Malcolm MacLeod and bullt for him by the people of Skye, will be used as a model for all shipbuflders in the Scottish navy.” The reader now looked up from his parchment and gazed over the assem- rm, f on so blage. “Is Malcolm MacLeod here? he asked. “Let him step forward.” The giant, somewhat dazed, walking like a man in a dream, approached the foot of the cross. The officer rolled the proclamation and presented it to the shipbuilder, saying: “From the hand of the King to the hand of Malcolm MacLeod.” Malcolm accepted it, muttering half with a smile, half with a frown “E-god, the King knows a good boat when he gets jt!” Then the officer uplifted his and cried: “God save the King,” and now the hills around re-echoed with the cheer- ing. The little company without another word retraced their steps to the small boat and made for the ship, which was now facing outward, anchor hoisted and sails spread once more, so the watching Highlanders had a view of a large vessel superbly managed, as the west wind which brought her into the harbor took her safely out again, The royal young man had a striking lesson on the fickleness of the populace. Heretofore, as MacDonald had truly said, no one had a good word to say for the King: now it was evident that James V of Scotland was the greatest and wisest monarch that ever sat on a throne. Malcolm MacLeod had been always so proud of his skill that this proclam. tion could hardly augment his selr- esteem, but it suddenly changed his views regarding his august overlord. In conversation ever after it became, I and the King.” and he was almost will- ing to admit that James was very nearly as great a man as Alaxander MacLeod of Dunvegan. sword