The Dragon's Lair

The Dragon's Lair

Suzanne Marsh

“baffle our foes, stand by the shore; follow they will not dare...”

“George, will ye please listen ta reason! Charles Stuart has cost enough Scot lives.

I kin assure ye that Blair Castle is being watched verra closely by the English. Ye

lost ye title as Duke of Atholl. We have paid our dues to Charles Stuart.”

George Murray glared angrily at his younger brother James, who was now the Duke of Atholl.

“When this is over then it is over brother until then I will continue to support Charles

Stuart.”

James shook his head in disgust as George stormed out of the library. George mounted his big bay stallion. He galloped toward St. Brides kirk. The Chieftains of the clans that survived the Battle on Culloden Moor; were meeting there at his request. He hid the stallion behind the church; his brother had informed him that both of them were being watched. George if nothing else was cautious. George entered the graveyard of the kirk, he walked over to his father's grave. He twisted the angel's head, a small door to the crypt opened. He walked in, there sat the Chieftains of the largest clans, the McLeod's, Cameron's, and MacDonald. The MacDonald stood first, he clapped George on his back as if he were still a wee laddie. George, began:

“There are two reasons we are meeting here today. The first is we need to find a different

hiding place to meet, James inadvertently told me that Blair castle is still suspect,

thus we are being watched closely. Second, we need to find a way to get Charlie out

of Scotland. He is no safe here nor are we. He will have to be smuggled out off of the

Island of South Uist, if we can get him to the Isle of Skye, he can board a ship returning

to France before we are all caught and hanged. I don't know about anyone else

but I have no desire to dance at the end of the hangman's noose.”

Silence pervaded the room under the crypt as they formulated different ideas. The MacDonald stood and began to pace. Where could they next meet? George Murray thought about it. He proposed:

“Since the British have a price on Prince Charlie, we must get the laddie off South Uist, there

is no other answer. There is a small pub owned by Alexander MacLean on the Isle of Skye. I

will speak to him. For now I think it would be safer if we meet beneath the Dragon's Lair.

We keep our circle small. The password is now Dragonlair. This is solely for the four

of us. We have no choice now as Jacobite's we, I am afraid, are now a secret society. If

we surface to soon, we will all be dancing from the hangman's noose. Nothing would give

those buggers more pleasure.”

The MacDonald stopped pacing, he turned toward George Murray:

“My favorite niece Flora, I will speak to her. She favors the Jacobite's but her intended is

in His Majesty's pocket. We will start the arrangements as soon as possible. If we kinna get

the young Pretender out of here and to South Uist we will be dancing from the end of an

British rope.”

All agreed. The next meeting would be in a week, giving The MacDonald time to discuss this with

his niece Flora. They would meet at the Dragon's Lair, Jamie MacDonald was owner and proprietor. He had long wanted to help the clans. He had a secret room that was used for hiding contraband such as extra whiskey. Since the British were always stopping by for ale, he knew that the only safe place to hide the whiskey was in a hidden room. George Murray had approached him several weeks before. Jamie had agreed they could use the room. They were to hide their horses in the barn. There could be no trace of them anywhere near the pub. The Jacobite's were being pursued in every imaginable place, whether hidden or in the open.

The MacDonald summoned Flora the following morning. She was a highland beauty, charming and sharp spoken.

“Hello uncle, I have come as ye summoned. I have been visiting Lady Ranold. I returned

yesterday. What can I do for ye?”

The MacDonald stood and paced for several moments collecting his thoughts.

“Flora, my dear. I need ye to help me get the young Pretender to the Isle of Skye before

he is caught and hanged. I want ye to return to Lady Ranold; she will aide ye. Ye must

be verra careful of who ye speak to and who ye are seen with.”

Flora, considered the consequences carefully. She loved her uncle but how did he propose to get Bonnie Prince Charlie from the mainland to South Uist then to the Isle of Skye. She could not even begin to think of who all was committed to saving the Prince's life.

“All right Uncle, I will do it. Just give me as few details as possible. I will return to Lady

Ranold's and await ye contact.”

Flora, left with the feeling that somehow she had just become the most important Jacobite since she was now charged with aiding the young Pretender. She had not even met him nor did she know what he looked like. The following day she returned to Sheilling call'd Closchinisch. Lady Ranold smiled with pleasure as Flora strode into the cottage. Lady Ranold, asked Flora to have a seat:

“Flora, me child, ye are going to aid the young Pretender to Skye, or so my contact tells me.

General Campbell is here on South Uist and one of his most trusted soldiers a Captain

Legussone, is approximately one mile from here. We must be verra careful. In two days

time ye, MacAchran and John MacLean, he will act as cook for the young Pretender while he

is here on South Uist. Once the boat has arrived ye and MacAchran will go to Sir Alexander

MacDonald's house. Leave the young Pretender on the boat, send for Donald MacDonald. He

will aide the young Pretender on the next leg of his journey. Ye must not say a word of this

to anyone.”

Flora, understood. The following night, with no moon two riders rode up to the scheilling. Flora, heard them as did Lady Ranold. The servants had been sent to bed, now Flora understood why. A

handsome red haired laddie bowed first to Lady Ranold then to Flora. Flora almost fainted the red haired laddie was none other than Bonnie Prince Charlie, the young Pretender to the throne of England and Scotland. Lady Ranold had provisions stocked on the boat. There were five crewmen to row the boat. The next evening, Lady Ranold and Flora began to help the young Pretender dress. Bonnie Prince Charlie blushed as bright as his red hair, as he looked at the items laid out on the bed in Lady Ranold's chambers.

“Auch, ye want me to be dressin in woman's clothes, isn't that a wee bit more than I need.”

Lady Ranold, nodded at Flora who handed her panteletts, then the corset:

“I'll no be wearin one of those!”

Lady Ranold tightened the corset, finally the a lovely calico dress. She then put a powdered wig on his head to hide the red hair. Lady Ranold and Flora could not help but smile, actually he made a very handsome woman. Lady Ranold, then accompanied them to the boat. They crossed to the Isle of Skye. Flora did as she had been directed. She and MacAchran rowed ashore. Sir Alexander MacDonald waited. Flora entered, asking him to contact Donald MacDonald. Flora began:

“Charles Stuart is in a boat off shore. We have him disguised as my lady's maid Betty Burke.

Lady Randall, sends her regards. Dragonlair.”

A half hour later Donald MacDonald appeared. The arrangements were made for the next leg of the young Pretender's journey. He would be hidden on the Island of Rasay, eventually he returned to France.

“...caught in the deep, Flora will keep, watch by your weary head”