Glens of Stone, Day 29

Ellie made to rise but suddenly froze, her eyes widening in alarm. “It’s Ewan Ogilvie!”

Ewan Ogilvie and the Reverend Pollock shook hands, then the minister hurried off, as if glad to get away from someone he regarded as dangerous. Ewan was satisfied. All he had to do now was contact the people on Colonel Crawford’s list and ensure they came to Duddingston on Monday night. “The effrontery of the man!” General Guest muttered, referring to Prince Charles Edward Stuart. “He’s had himself proclaimed Regent!” He turned to Robert, standing with him on the eastern ramparts of the castle. “What do you make of his demands?”

“That we surrender the castle to him or face a blockade?” Robert laughed. “He knows we can withstand a siege. We’re impregnable; you and I could defend the castle on our own if it came to it.”

The general smiled. “You’re right, of course.” He gazed down to the lower levels. “These cannons. No chance their fire could reach Holyrood?” “I’m afraid not, sir. The distance is too great.” Guest brightened. “It would cause alarm if we fired them off, nonetheless. This is war, Captain. We can’t let the rebels think the King’s army is toothless.”

“Perhaps so,” Robert cautioned, “but a salvo which might kill innocent folk won’t endear us to anyone!”

“Marshall, the rebels have not exactly been spurned by the citizens. They’re being made welcome.” The general slapped the stone ramparts with his hand. “Have the gunners put on standby. Ensure the guns are ready and trained eastwards down Castle Hill.” “As you wish, sir.” Robert Marshall saluted, but he was profoundly unhappy at the old man’s decision. Excitement

Duncan McAllan had felt it best to close the premises for a few days. The excitement generated by the invaders had disrupted the routines in the city and worship was not uppermost in folk’s minds.

Ellie Chalmers left the Mission House in search of fresh air. With its closure there was little for her to do. She walked slowly up the Canongate through the crowds, progressing towards St Giles. The Lawnmarket was astir with Highlanders and rough barricades had been erected near the castle’s approach.

“Charlie’s men have commandeered some of the houses nearby, so they can shoot any Redcoats trying to creep out.”

Ellie thought of Robert Marshall up there at the fortress. It served him right, she mused. “Ellie.” A quiet voice came from behind her. She looked round. “Sandy!” she cried. “I thought you were dead.”

McCrae grabbed her arm. “Come with me.” He guided her across the crowded street to a dingy tavern, to vacant seats at the rear. Ellie sat down resentfully. “I don’t frequent such places,” she said. “I’m sorry, but we had to get off the street.” She studied him and was aghast at what she saw. In tattered, ragged clothes he was pale and haggard. A stained bandage covered most of his head. “How is Alison?” he asked at once. “Well enough, though she’s given you up for lost.”

Ellie gave him an update on events since that fateful night at the Mission. He gripped her wrist. “I must see her, Ellie.”

“Of course. But first tell me how you come to be in this sorry state. We heard you’d joined up with Gardiner’s dragoons to keep the rebels at bay.” She smiled. “Though you didn’t make a very good job of it.” “You could say so.” Discovered

Following a skirmish with the Highlanders, Sandy had been felled by a blow to the head, he told Ellie. When he’d come round he’d found himself alone among the dead and wounded.

Under cover of darkness he’d managed to make his way to the Edinburgh village of Corstorphine. Almost senseless, he’d lain in a hedgerow for nearly a full day before being discovered by a farmer and taken to the man’s home.

There he’d been nursed until fit enough to make his way back to the city. “But I can’t get back into the castle,” he explained. “You’ve seen the blockade.” “Then we’ll get you down to the Mission House.”

Ellie made to rise but suddenly she froze, her eyes widening in alarm. “It’s Ewan Ogilvie,” she whispered. “The man who nearly did for you. He’s just come in – and he’s seen us!”

Ewan pushed his way through the crowded room, his face stern. When he reached their table he stood, hands on hips, staring at Sandy who returned his gaze unflinchingly. Then the two men burst out laughing and Ewan leaned forward to grip Sandy’s arm. “Sandy, old friend! I thought you were dead!”

“You should know better.” Sandy rubbed the back of his head. “Mind, these Highlanders pack a good clout when they’ve a mind to.”

“Aye. ’Tis a pity they didn’t know you were on their side.” “Wait a minute!” Ellie rose to her feet. “What is this?” She jabbed a finger at Ewan. “Two weeks ago you nearly killed this man. Now you’re acting as if you’re the best of friends!”

“We are, Ellie, we are.” Sandy laughed. “That wee fight at the Mission House had to look good. We had to fool you all.”

“Fool us?” Ellie cried. “Heavens, you nearly caused Alison’s death. Stupid big...! We all took you for a Redcoat toadie, using Alison as a means to spy on us.”

“That’s what everyone was supposed to think.” Sandy grinned at Ewan. “What better way to aid the Jacobite cause than by infiltrating the enemy?” “Sandy here is actually a member of my own regiment,” Ewan explained. “He and I were friends in France and when I was sent here I requested that he accompany me.”

“What about hounding Alison’s father?” Ellie asked, accusing. “Och, that was another ploy to satisfy Captain Marshall at the castle.”

“And I suppose our escape from there was engineered by you both?” “Of course!” Ewan exclaimed. “Sandy smuggled me in before he marched bravely off to fight for King George.” Broad smile

Sandy cocked an eyebrow. “May I ask what you’re about today, Ewan?” A broad smile wreathed his friend’s face. “I’m an emissary bearing messages for the castle garrison. But also, I need you both to be at Duddingston Kirk next Monday evening.” “Duddingston again!” Ellie exclaimed. “Why?” “Wedding arrangements, let us say. Your friends from the Mission House will be there. Don’t worry, you’ll find it worthwhile.

“You mentioned the garrison?” Sandy waited expectantly. Ewan undid the top button of his cloak, revealing the uniform of the Scots Royals. “I’m off to ask General Guest to surrender. We gave him a deadline of today but the old fool hasn’t responded.”

“He’ll never give up the castle,” Sandy offered. “And they’ve provisions enough to last for months.”

“We know it, and they know we know it, but this is only an exercise. Besides,” Ewan paused, reflective. “I have another reason for wanting to get into the castle.

“As for you, my friend, it’s time to return to your true friends. Colonel Crawford is at Duddingston and will be glad to see you. Like me, he feared you dead.” He made ready to leave. “I’ll be back soon,” he promised. Glens of Stone was previously a serial in The People’s Friend. There’s more great fiction in The People’s Friend every week, £1.30 from newsagents and supermarkets.

Artwork: Mandy Dixon