Weary of hope deferred, he had conceived the idea of a bold stroke.

"Why not attempt to cross in a vessel to the north of Scotland ?" had been the question put to him by Cardinal Tencin, who had, some time before, owed his cardinal's hat to the dethroned King of Great Britain.

"Your presence will be enough to get you a party and an army, and France will be obliged to give you aid." Charles Edward had followed this audacious counsel.

Landing, in June, 1745, in the Highlands of Scotland, he had soon found the clans of the mountaineers hurrying to join his standard.

At the head of this wild army, he had in a few months gained over the whole of Scotland.