434 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



to give point to the accuracy of the seer's predictions, is at 

 least wanting in circumstance. There is no information 

 vouchsafed, from which we may gather for what purpose, 

 or by whose directions, the Lewismen crossed to the 

 mainland. If it was their intention to join the Prince, it is 

 obvious that Lord Fortrose was opposed to the step. But 

 there is reason to believe that the incident occurred, 

 not at the commencement of the rising, but early in 

 1746, when it was in progress. The Lewismen who 

 crossed the Minch were probably those who composed one 

 of the eighteen Independent Companies, raised for the 

 service of the Government. This view is supported by the 

 fact that the Lewis company took no part in the operations 

 on the mainland. It was the last company raised, and it 

 appears to have been immediately disbanded by Lord 

 Fortrose, its services being found unnecessary. About the 

 time that the standard was unfurled at Glenfinnan, Lord 

 Fortrose summoned all his retainers on the mainland to 

 meet him, for the purpose of acting in defence of the 

 Government. Writing to President Forbes on i3th 

 October, he tells him that some " young fellow " of his name 

 had attempted to raise men for the Prince, but that he had 

 charged his tenants not to stir without his leave, under 

 pain of death. His attitude was so much appreciated by 

 his people that they " blessed " him for protecting them, 

 and assured him that they would do nothing without his 

 orders. So determined was Lord Fortrose to keep his 

 tenantry from rising, that he went among them, threatening 

 to burn the corn-yards of any whom he found away from 

 home ; and he actually turned one house into the river on 

 finding its owner absent.* To some Mackenzies in Argyll- 

 shire, who asked him for his advice how they should act, 

 his reply was curt but sensible. " Stay at home and mind 



* A booklet called The Wanderer, by an unknown author, which was 

 published in 1747, declares that Lord Fortrose had great difficulty in keeping 

 the Mackenzies out of the rising. The same authority states that Lord 

 Cromartie was seduced from his allegiance by Lord Lovat and Macdonald of 

 Barisdale. Lady Fortrose was a Jacobite, if her husband was not : she raised 

 a few Mackenzies for the Prince. 



