offices of the land companies were not then open for the sale of
these remote regions. But by 1753 there were not less than four
thousand Gaels in Cumberland County, where they occupied the
chief magisterial posts; and they were already spreading over the
lands now comprised within Moore, Anson, Richmond, Robeson,
Bladen, and Sampson counties. In these counties Gaelic was as
commonly heard as English.

In the years immediately preceding the Revolution and even in
1776 itself they came in increasing numbers. They knew nothing of
the smoldering fire just about to break into flames in the
country of their choice, but the Royal Governor, Josiah Martin,
knew that Highland arms would soon be ceded by His Majesty. He
knew something of Highland honor, too; for he would not let the
Gaels proceed after their landing until they had bound themselves
by oath to support the Government of King George. So it was that
the unfortunate Highlanders found themselves, according too their
strict code of honor, forced to wield arms against the very
Americans who had received and befriended them--and for the
crowned brother of a prince whose name is execrated to this day
in Highland song and story!

They were led by Allan MacDonald of Kingsborough; and tradition
gives us a stirring picture of Allan's wife--the famous Flora
MacDonald, who in Scotland had protected the Young Pretender in
his flight--making an impassioned address in Gaelic to the
Highland soldiers and urging them on to die for honor's sake.
When this Highland force was conquered by the Americans, the
large majority willingly bound themselves not to fight further
against the American cause and were set at liberty. Many of them