With Frederick the Great | Page 3

I

cannot agree with all that has been said about the severity of the
punishment that has been dealt out. I have been fighting all over
Europe, and I know of no country where a heavy reckoning would not
have been made, after so serious an insurrection. Men who take up
arms against a king know that they are staking their lives; but after
vengeance comes pardon, and the desire to heal wounds, and I trust that
you will get some portion of your estate again.
"It is early yet to think of what you are going to make of the boy, but I
am sure you will not want to see him fighting in the Hanoverian
uniform. So, if he has a taste for adventure let him, when the time
comes, make his way out to me; or if I should be under the sod by that
time, let him go to my brother. There will, methinks, be no difficulty in
finding out where we are, for there are so many Scotch abroad that
news of us must often come home. However, from time to time I will
write to you. Do not expect to hear too often, for I spend far more time
in the saddle than at my table, and my fingers are more accustomed to
grasp a sword than a pen. However, be sure that wherever I may be, I
shall be glad to see your son, and to do my best for him.
"See that he is not brought up at your apron string, but is well trained in
all exercises; for we Scots have gained a great name for strength and
muscle, and I would not that one of my kin should fall short of the
mark."
Maggie Drummond had been much pleased with her kinsman's letter.
There were few Scotchmen who stood higher in the regard of their
countrymen, and the two Keiths had also a European reputation. Her
husband, and many other fiery spirits, had expressed surprise and even
indignation that the brothers, who had taken so prominent a part in the
first rising, should not have hastened to join Prince Charlie; but the
more thoughtful men felt it was a bad omen that they did not do so. It
was certainly not from any want of adventurous spirit, or of courage,
for wherever adventures were to be obtained, wherever blows were
most plentiful, James Keith and his brother were certain to be in the
midst of them.
But Maggie Drummond knew the reason for their holding aloof; for she

had, shortly before the coming over of Prince Charlie, received a short
note from the field marshal:
"They say that Prince Charles Edward is meditating a mad scheme of
crossing to Scotland, and raising his standard there. If so, do what you
can to prevent your husband from joining him. We made but a poor
hand of it, last time; and the chances of success are vastly smaller now.
Then it was but a comparatively short time since the Stuarts had lost
the throne of England, and there were great numbers who wished them
back. Now the Hanoverian is very much more firmly seated on the
throne. The present man has a considerable army, and the troops have
had experience of war on the Continent, and have shown themselves
rare soldiers. Were not my brother Lord Marischal of Scotland, and my
name somewhat widely known, I should not hang back from the
adventure, however desperate; but our example might lead many who
might otherwise stand aloof to take up arms, which would bring, I think,
sure destruction upon them. Therefore we shall restrain our own
inclinations, and shall watch what I feel sure will be a terrible tragedy,
from a distance; striking perhaps somewhat heavier blows than usual
upon the heads of Turks, Moors, Frenchmen, and others, to make up for
our not being able to use our swords where our inclinations would lead
us.
"The King of France will assuredly give no efficient aid to the Stuarts.
He has all along used them as puppets, by whose means he can, when
he chooses, annoy or coerce England. But I have no belief that he will
render any useful aid, either now or hereafter.
"Use then, cousin, all your influence to keep Drummond at home.
Knowing him as I do, I have no great hope that it will avail; for I know
that he is Jacobite to the backbone, and that, if the Prince lands, he will
be one of the first to join him."
Maggie had not carried out Keith's injunction. She had indeed told her
husband, when she received the letter, that Keith believed the enterprise
to be so hopeless a one that he should not join in it. But she was