to be staunch supporters of the Government.  It was doubtful what part might be taken in the struggle by those of Mackenzie and Ross.  The chiefs of Skye, who could have brought a large force of armed men into the field, had declined participating in the attempt.  The assistance of Lord Lovat, upon whom the co-operation of the Frasers might depend, could not be calculated on with certainty; and nothing but hostility could be expected from the powerful sept of the Campbells.  Under such circumstances, it is little wonder if Cameron of Locheill, the most sagacious of all the chieftains who favoured the Stuart cause, was struck with consternation and alarm at the news of the Prince’s landing, or that he attempted to persuade him from undertaking an adventure so seemingly hopeless.  Mr. Robert Chambers, in his admirable history of that period, does not in the least exaggerate the importance of the interview, on the result of which the prosecution of the war depended.  “On arriving at Borrodale, Locheill had a private interview with the Prince, in which the probabilities of the enterprise were anxiously debated.  Charles used every argument to excite the loyalty of Locheill, and the chief exerted all his eloquence to persuade the Prince to withdraw till a better opportunity.  Charles represented the present as the best possible opportunity, seeing that the French general kept the British army completely engaged abroad, while at home there were no troops but one or two newly-raised regiments.  He expressed his confidence that a small body of Highlanders would be sufficient to gain a victory over all the force that could now be brought against him; and he was equally sure that such an advantage was all that was required to make his friends at home declare in his favour, and cause those abroad to send him assistance.  All he wanted was that the Highlanders should begin the war.  Locheill still resisted, entreating Charles to be more temperate, and consent to remain concealed where he was, till his friends should meet together and concert what was best to be done.  Charles, whose mind was wound up to the utmost pitch of impatience, paid no regard to this proposal, but answered that he was determined to put all to the hazard.  ‘In a few days,’ said he, ’with the few friends I have, I will raise the royal standard, and proclaim to the people of Britain that Charles Stuart is come over to claim the crown of his ancestors—­to win it, or to perish in the attempt!  Locheill—­who, my father has often told me, was our firmest friend—­may stay at home, and learn from the newspapers the fate of his Prince!’ ‘No!’ said Locheill, stung by so poignant a reproach, and hurried away by the enthusiasm of the moment; ’I will share the fate of my Prince, and so shall every man over whom nature or fortune has given me any power.’  Such was the juncture upon which depended the civil war of 1745; for it is a point agreed, says Mr. Home, who narrates this conversation, that if Locheill had