Bonnie Prince Charlie

ery man one meets after dark as a possible enemy, and although I escaped scot free from the gang who attacked us the other night, one cannot al

s if, having made one attempt and failed, he would abandon his plans altogether. He is clearly a man who nourishes a grudge for years, and his first failure is only likely to add to his vindictive feeling. I do not say tha

ontrary I shall prefer to think that the marquis will trust to my being knocked on the head d

re cautious and guarded. I shall sleep with one eye open

wn was already filled with troops, and as the weather was fine Colonel Hume ordered his men to bivouac a short distance outside

he said to them. "These men

t with me?" Rona

aid, "that you wanted to buy a horse.

eplied. "I am very well supplied with ho

the regiment would be likely to buy, and he sai

orse looks a nice animal I could not take him if you offered him to me for nothing. I don't think you wil

d to mention to Malcolm the o

mind to ask them what they would take to exchange him with

Malcolm said earnestly; "those two fellows w

do you mean

t is too provoking. Had I been there I would have given them in charge of a file of men at once. Then we would have asked every officer in the regiment if he had sent them to you, and when we found, as we certainly should have found, that none of them had done so, we should have marched the men off to Colonel Hume, and I am sure, when he heard the circumstances of the case, they would have be

altogether! I have no doubt the affair was just

r. Just ask if any of them sent two men wanting to sell a horse to you this

question, but none of the officers admi

ie; why should anyone suppose that y

come up with a horse to me this morning, and said that on

w why anyone should suppose that you wanted another charger. Still, someone, knowing

ing through a thick wood, and Ronald was riding with Captain Campbell behind his troop, which happened to be in the rear in the regiment, two shots were fired from among the trees. The first struck Ronald's horse in t

claimed, for the sudden movement of

llet has cut my coat and grazed m

thickly and there was a dense undergrowth, and they had difficulty in making their way through them. Fo

en Captain Campbell reported, at the next halt,

t's wife or offering to run away with his daughter? But seriously this is a strange affair. Why should two men lie in wait for the regiment and fire at two of i

erefore it looks as if the shots were aimed at me. I have some reason, too, for supposing that I have been followed. If you remember my question last night at supper about the men who wanted to sell me a horse. Malcolm Anderson is convinced that the whole thing was only a ruse to enable them t

ld get but a shadow of proof against your enemies I would lay a formal complaint before the king. Marquis or no marquis, I am not going to have my officers assassinated with impunity. However, till we have something definite to go upon, we can do nothing, and until then, Leslie, you had best keep your

answered all questions as to the affair, that they had not the least idea who wer

st on the list of his company, and had, indeed, been twice passed over in consequence of his quarrelsome and domineering disposition. He was a man of seven or

oyed him greatly. Knowing that he would have no chance whatever with Ronald in a duel, he had carefully abstained from open war, showing his dislike only by sneering remarks and sarcastic comments which frequently tried Ronald's patience to the utmost, and mor

redly at the various suggestions; but one or two of the senior officers remon

were not one of the best tempered young fellows going he would resent your constant attacks upon him

irs," Crawford said sullenly, "and I do not

regiment already, and you know Colonel Hume said on the last occasion that your next quarrel should be your last in the regiment. I tell you frankly, that if you continue y

e regiment joined t

retired from the circle round the fire and to his tent, recommenced his provocation to Ronal

nsider that for me, who have but lately joined the regiment, to be engaged in a quarrel with an officer senior to myself would be in the highest degree unbecoming; but I am sure that my fellow officers will bear me out in saying that I have shown fu

r Crawford endeavoured to quiet him. The wine which he had taken had, however, ex

dictated to by anyone, much less a boy who has just joined the regiment, and who

circle, for at this last outburst on the part of Crawford a dead silence had fallen on the circle

will call upon any friend Lieutenant Crawford may name an

me?" Crawford said to a lie

t all here will understand that I do solely because it is necessary that some

," Crawford said with an oath, and ris

officers were of opinion that the duel should not be allowed to pro

shrink from meeting him; but I have certainly no desire whatever to take his life. He has drunk more than he ought to do, and if this matter can be arranged, and he can be persuaded in the morning to express his regret for what he has said, I shall be very glad to ac

the direction from which the cry had come. The tents were at some little

, stooping over him. "See, he has been stabbed in the

y. None of them had seen the act or had noticed anyone running away; but in so large a camp there were s

ry, but entirely without success. The attack had evidently been su

Crawford was not a popular man, but I cannot guess at any reason for this murder. St

ed what had taken place af

e done us no good, and the man was no credit to the regiment. But it is a very serious matter that we should be dogged by assassins. Leslie, come up with me to my tent. I am not going to blame you, lad," he said when they were t

surprise. "No, I know n

r enemies have unwittingly done you a service. Crawford was very much your height and build,

ht of it; but the likeness between him and myself has been frequen

to you to be careful henceforth. It is unlikely that the attempt will be repeated at present. The men who did it will think that they have earned their money, and by this time are probably on the way to

have nothing but our suspicions, and I cannot go to the king and say three attempts have been made on the life o

the colonel, and he expressed himself as convinced that Crawford had fallen by a blow int

e way, and some time will elapse before the employers know that a mistake has been

e contingent of the nobles of the court. The English army was known to be approaching, and was expected to fight a battle to relieve Namur, which the French