Twelve chapters tell the stories of various escapes and adventurous journeys - some well-known incidents, others less familiar. The stories cover, the unsuccessful attempted escape of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette; an episode in the American Civil War in 1862 when a train is stolen; the famous escape of Charles II after Worcester. Commenting on Charles' subsequent Restoration, Buchan remarked: 'So began a reign which was scarcely worthy of its spirited prelude. In one matter, indeed, the King was beyond criticism. No one of the people, gentle or simple, who had assisted him in his wild flight from Worcester died unrewarded'.
Two escape stories from the South African War come next - one of them concerning Winston Churchill. We can also read of the famous exploits of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Another chapter tells of Lord Nithdale's escape from the Tower of London, disguised as a woman. (I believe that I have read elsewhere that this is one of only three escapes ever successfully made from the Tower.) Yet other chapters tell of Montrose, and of how Sir Robert Carey rode to Edinburgh to inform James VI of the death of Queen Elizabeth. These are just some examples of a good many tales of true adventure.
In his preface Buchan assures us that: 'I have retold the stories, which are all strictly true, using the best evidence I could find and, in the case of the older ones, often comparing a dozen authorities'.
Duncan Johnstone February 2001
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