FLORA MACDONALD.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1390, 16 March 1912, Page 10

FLORA MACDONALD.

HER LATER HISTORY. Ono of the favourite traditions of th» eastern part of North Carolina is, according to Maude Radidrd Warren, in 'liarper's Magazine," connected with i'lora Macdonald, the saviour of Bonnie Princ* Charlie, and, indeed, sho is thoroughly identified with the history of the region. When the women tell her story they tell it with the sympathy they would feel toward a sister. It seems that after Flora, as they call her, had been forgiven bv tho House of Hanover for her help to tho House of Stuart, sho and her band fell into straitened circumstances, and, encouraged by the account of tuo opportunities in North Cnrolina, shiled with a number of followers in 1775, and H>j> tied on the Capo Fear River, at what J« now Fayettevillo. Flora came with high hopes, and was received with tho greatest deference by her countrymen. ■ After the Revolutionary War broke out the British struck an early blow, in North Carolina, perhaps with the idea that the Macdonalds and their clan would win llio day. The Scotch Highlanders rallied to the cause.of the king, as they wero bound lo do under their oath. " Flora made an especial appeal to her kinsmen and clansmen lo rally (o the Houso of Hanover. The story goes that the ltovnlisis drilled their forces tm one sido of Cross Creek, and the Wings on the other, joining for social intercourse after military manoeuvres were over. Even- man who could shoulder a musket and handle n claymore was drilling., and the notes of the Scottish pibroch mingled with those, of the English bilL-lo In February, 177G, (he forces cMiod, and thero followed for the hapless Highlanders another Culloden. . Flora Maedonald's husband was taken prisoner, and confined in the gaol at Halifax. Much of her property was confixated; other things she sold to help effect, her husband's freedom, even pawning the family plate. The women toll of her hours of bitterness-how she had to live on a little sandy tract of land while her husband was in prison, and how she buried two children there. When her husband's captivity came to an end, they went back to Scotland, wow« broken in purse and fortune (hnn when they had embarked for tlio New World. Flora is Raid to have cried, "I have done miicklc for both flic House of Stuart and for the House of Hnnover, ami I hav«, been little tho 'gainer by either." i - .-."