Bonnie Prince Charlie : a Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden eBook

“Such influence there is no possibility of our exerting.  Your father’s comrades and countrymen, his position and services, availed nothing when he was first imprisoned; and in the time which has elapsed the number of those who know him and would venture to risk the king’s displeasure by pleading his cause must have lessened considerably.  The only possibility, mind I say possibility, of success lies in your mother.

“So far it is clear that she has been powerless; but we know not under what circumstances she has been placed.  She may all this time have been shut up a prisoner in a convent; she may be dead; but it is possible that, if she is free, she may have powerful connections on her mother’s side, who might be induced to take up her cause and to plead with the king for your father’s liberty.  She may have been told that your father is dead.  She is, no doubt, in ignorance of what has become of you, or whether you are still alive.  If she believes you are both dead she would have had no motive for exerting any family influence she may have, and may be living a broken hearted woman, firm only in the resolution to accept no other husband.”

“Yes, that is possible,” Ronald agreed.  “At any rate, Malcolm, let us lose no further time, but set out tomorrow for the frontier and try to find out from my father’s old comrades what has become of my mother.”

CHAPTER V:  Dettingen.

After walking two or three miles Malcolm and Ronald came upon the rear of a train of waggons which had set out from Paris an hour earlier.  Entering into conversation with one of the drivers they found that the convoy was bound for the frontier with ammunition and supplies for the army.

“This is fortunate,” Malcolm said; “for to tell you the truth, Ronald, I have looked forward to our meeting with a good many difficulties by the way.  We have no passes or permits to travel, and should be suspected of being either deserters or thieves.  We came down from the north easy enough; but there they are more accustomed to the passage of travellers to or from the coast.  Going east our appearance if alone would be sure to incite comment and suspicion.  It is hard if among the soldiers with the convoy I do not know someone who has friends in the old regiment.  At any rate we can offer to make ourselves useful in case of any of the drivers falling ill or deserting by the way.”

As they walked along towards the head of the long line of waggons Malcolm closely scrutinized the troopers who formed the escort, but most of them were young soldiers, and he therefore went on without accosting them until he reached the head of the column.  Here two officers were riding together, a captain and a young lieutenant.  Malcolm saluted the former.

“I am an old soldier of the 2d Regiment of Scottish Calvary, and am going with my young friend here, who has relations in the regiment, to join them.  Will you permit us, sir, to journey with your convoy?  We are ready, if needs be, to make ourselves useful in case any of your drivers are missing, no uncommon thing, as I know, on a long journey.”