history of the mackenzies-第30章

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of　Clan　Ranald；　he　having。　previously　sent　away　　his　lawfull　wife；　a　daughter　of　the　laird　of　Grant）　came　by　sea　to　Kishorn。

He　and　Dugall　Mackenzie　having　conferred　together　for　some　time　discussing　matters　of　importance　to　each　as　neighbours；　Glengarry　took　　his　leave；　but　while　being　convoyed　to　his　boat；　Dugall　suggested　the　　impropriety　of　his　going　home　by　sea　in　such　a　clumsy　boat；　when　he　had　　only　a　distance　of　two　miles　to　walk；　and　if　he　did　not　suspect　his　own　　inability　to　make　the　lady　comfortable　for　the　night；　he　would　be　glad　to　provide　for　her　and　see　her　home　safely　next　morning。　　Macdonald　　declined　the　proffered　hospitality　to　his　lady。　　He　sent　her　home　by　the　　boat；　accompanied　by　four　of　his　followers；　and　told　Dugall　that　he　would　not　endanger　the　boat　by　overloading；　but　that　he　and　the　remainder　of　his　　gentlemen　and　followers　would　go　home　on　foot。

Rory　Mor　had　meanwhile　placed　his　men　in　ambush　in　a　place　still　called　Glaic　nan　Gillean。　　Glengarry　and　his　train；　on　their　way　to　Strone　　Castle；　came　upon　them　without　the　slightest　suspicion；　when　they　were　　suddenly　surrounded　by　Rory's　followers；　and　called　upon　to　surrender。　　　Seeing　this；　one　of　the　Macdonalds　shot　an　arrow　at　Redcastle；　which　　fixed　in　the　fringe　of　his　plaid；　when　his　followers；　thinking　their　leader　　had　been　mortally　wounded　furiously　attacked　the　Macdonalds；　but　Rory　　commanded　his　friends；　under　pain　of　death；　to　save　the　life　of　Glengarry；　　who；　seeing　he　had　no　chance　of　escape；　and　hearing　Redcastle's　orders　to　his　men；　threw　away　his　sword；　and　ran　into　Rory　Mor's　arms；　begging　that　his　life　might　be　spared。　　This　was　at　once　granted　to　him；　but　not　a　　single　one　of　his　men　escaped　from　Redcastle's　infuriated　followers；　who　　started　the　same　night；　taking　Glengarry　along　with　him；　for　Lochbroom。

Even　this　did　not　satisfy　the　cruel　disposition　of　Donald　Mac　Ian　Mhic　Ian　Uidhir　and　Angus　Mac　Eachainn；　who　had　an　old　grudge　against　their　chief；　Glengarry；　his　father　having　some　time　previously　evicted　their　　father　from　Attadale；　Lochcarron；　to　which　they　claimed　a　right。　　They；　　under　silence　of　night；　gathered　all　the　Clann　Ian　Uidhir；　and　proceeded　to　　Arinaskaig　and　Dalmartin；　where　lived　at　the　time　three　uncles　of　　GlengarryGorrie；　Rorie；　and　Ronaldwhom　they；　with　all　their　　retainers；　killed　on　the　spot。　〃This　murder　was　undoubtedly　unknown　to　　Rory　or　any　of　the　Mackenzies；　though　alleged　otherwise；　for　as　soon　as　　his　nephew；　Colin　of　Kintail；　and　his　friends　heard　of　this　accident；　they　　were　much　concerned；　and　would　have　him　（Rory）　set　Glengarry　at　liberty　but　all　their　persuasions　would　not　do　tell　he　was　secured　of　him　by　writ　and　oath；　that　he　and　his　would　never　pursue　this　accident　either　legally　or　　unlegally；　and　which；　as　was　said；　he　never　intended　　to　do；　till　seventeen　　years　thereafter；　when；　in　1597；　the　children　of　these　three　uncles　of　　Glengarry　arrived　at　manhood；〃　determined；　as　will　be　seen　hereafter；　to　　revenge　their　father's　death。　＇Ancient　and　Ardintoul　MSS。＇

Gregory；　however；　says　（p。　219）　that　after　his　liberation；　Glengarry　complained　to　the　Privy　Council；　who；　investigating　the　matter；　caused　the　　Castle　of　Strone；　which　Macdonald　yielded　to　Mackenzie　as　one　of　the　　conditions　of　his　release；　to　be　placed　under　the　temporary　custody　of　the　　Earl　of　Argyll　and　Mackenzie　of　Kintail　was　detained　at　Edinburgh　in　　open　ward　to　answer　such　charges　as　might　be　brought　against　him。　　＇Records　of　Privy　Council　of　date　10th　August　and　2d　December　1582；　　11th　January　and　8th　March　1582…3。＇　In　1586　King　James　VI。　granted　a　　remission　to　〃Colin　M'Kainzie　of　Kintaill　and　Rodoric　M'Kainzie　of　　Auchterfailie〃　（Redcastle）；　〃his　brother；　for　being　art　and　part　in　‘the　cruel　　　murder　of　Rodoric　M'Allester　in　　Stroll；　Gorie　M'Allester；　his　brother；　in　　Stromcraig；　Ronnald　M'Gorie；　the　son　of　the　latter；　John　Roy　M'Allane　v'　Allester；　in　Pitnean；　John　Dow　M'Allane　v'　Allester；　in　Kirktoun　of　　Lochcarroun；　Alexander　M'Allanroy；　servitor　of　the　deceased　Rodoric；　Sir　　John　Monro　in　Lochbrume；　John　Monro；　his　son；　John　Monro　Hucheoun；　　and　the　rest　of　their　accomplices；　under　silence　of　night；　upon　the　lands　of　　Ardmanichtyke；　Dalmartene；　Kirktoun　of　Lochcarroun；　Blahat；　and　other　　parts　within　the　baronies　of　Lochcarroun；　Lochbrume；　Ros；　and　Kessane；　　in　the　Sheriffdom　of　Innerness；〃　and　for　all　their　other　past　crimes；　　＇Origines　Parochiales　Scotia　and　Retours。＇

During　Colin's　reign　Huntly　obtained　a　commission　of　fire　and　sword　against　Mackintosh　of　Mackintosh；　and　reduced　him　to　such　a　condition　that　he　had　to　remove　with　all　his　family　and　friends　for　better　　security　to　the　Island　of　Moy。　　Huntly；　having　determined　to　crush　him；　　came　to　Inverness　and　prepared　a　fleet　of　boats　with　which　to　besiege　the　island。　　These　preparations　having　been　completed；　and　the　boats　ready　to　be　drawn　across　the　hills　from　Inverness　to　Moy；　Mackenzie；　who　had　　been　advised　of　Huntly's　intentions；　despatched　a　messengerJohn　　Mackenzie　of　Kinnockto　Inverness；　to　ask　his　Lordship　to　be　as　　favourable　as　possible　to　his　sister；　Mackintosh　of　Mackintosh's　wife；　and　　to　treat　her　as　a　gentlewoman　ought　to　be　treated　when　he　came　to　Moy；　　and　that　he　（Colin）　would　consider　it　as　an　act　of　personal　courtesy　to　himself。　　The　messenger　delivered　his　message；　to　which　Huntly　replied；　　that　if　it　were　his　good　fortune；　as　he　doubted　not　it　would　be；　to　　apprehend　her　husband　and　her；　〃she　would　be　the　worst　used　lady　in　the　　North；　that　she　was　an　ill　instrument　against　his　cause；　and　therefore　he　would　cut　her　tail　above　her　houghs。〃　〃Well；　then；〃　answered　Kinnock；　　〃he　（Kintail）　bade　me　tell　your　Lordship　if　that　were　your　answer；　that　　perhaps　he　or　his　would　be　there　to　have　a　better　care　of　her。〃　　〃I　do　not　　value　his　being　there　more　than　herself〃　Huntly　replied；　〃and　tell　him　so　much　from　me。〃　　The　messenger　departed；　when　some　of　Huntly's　　principal　officers　who　heard　the　conversation　remonstrated　with　his　　Lordship　for　sending　the　Mackenzie　chief　so　uncivil　an　answer；　as　he　　might　have　cause　to　regret　it　if　that　gentleman　took　it　amiss。　　Kinnock　on　　his　arrival　at　Brahan；　told　his　master　what　had　occurred；　and　delivered　　Huntly's　rude　message。　　Colin；　who　was　at　the　time　in　delicate　health；　sent　　for　his　brother；　Rory　Mor　of　Redcastle；　and　sent　him　next　day　across　the　　ferry　of　Ardersier　with　a　force　of　four　hundred　warriors。　　These　he　　marched　straight　through　the　hills；　and　just　as　Huntly；　on　his　way　from　　Inverness；　was　coming　in　sight；　on　the　west　of　Moy；　Rory　and　his　　followers　were　marching　along　the　face　of　the　hill　on　the　east　side　of　the　　Island；　when　his　Lordship；　perceiving　such　a　large　force；　asked　his　officers　who　they　could　be。　　One　of　them；　present　during　the　interview　with　Mackenzie's　messenger　on　the　previous　day；　answered；　〃Yonder　is　the　effect　of　your　answer　to　Mackenzie。〃　　〃　I　wonder；〃　replied　Huntly；　〃how　　he　could　have　so　many　men　ready　almost　in　an　instant。〃　　The　officer　　replied；　〃Their　leader　is　so　active　and　fortunate　that　his　men　will　flock　to　　him　from　all　parts　on　a　moment's　notice　when　he　has　any　ado。　　And　before　　you　gain　Mackintosh　or　his　lady　you　will　lose　more　than　he　is　worth；　since　　now；　as　it　seems；　her　friends　take　part　in　the　quarrel；〃　whereupon　the　Earl　　retired　with　his　forces　to　Inverness；　〃so　that　it　seemed　fitter　to　Huntly　to　　agree　their　differs　friendly　than　prosecute　the　laws　further　against　Mackintosh。〃

There　is　a　complaint　to　the　Privy　Council　by　Christian　　Scrymgeour；　relict　of　the　late　Alexander；　Bishop　of　Ross；　dated　24th　　January；　1578…9；　in　which　it　is　stated　that　Colin　not　only　stopped　and　debarred　her　late　spouse　from　having　fuel　and　〃elding〃　to　his　dwelling　　house　in　the　Chanonry　of　Ross；　where　he　made　his　residence　last　summer；　　but　stopped　him　also　from　victuals　to　his　house；　using　such　unhuman　and　　cruel　dealings　against　him　that　he　fell　sick　and　never　recovered　〃till　he　departed　this　life。〃　　During　the　illness　of　the　bishop　in　December　preceding；　Colin　and　others　〃of　his　special　sending〃　enclosed　the　house　of　the　　Chanonry　and　debarred　the　complainer　and　her　husband　of　meat　and　drink　　and　all　other　relief　of　company　or　comfort　of　neighbours　and　friends；　and　how　soon　he　had　intelligence　of　the　bishop's　approaching　his　death　he　laid　　ambushes　of　armed　men　within　the　town　of　Chanonry　and　in　the　neighbourhood　and　apprehended　several　of　the　bishop's　and　dean's　servants；　whom　he　carried　〃immediately　to　the　said　Colin's　house　of　the　　Redcastle；〃　and　there　detained　them　for　twenty…four　hours。　Further；　on　the　　22nd　of　September　preceding；　the　bishop　being　at　the　extreme　point　of　　death；　Colin　with　an　armed　following　in　great　numbers；　came　to　the　castle　and　house　of　the　Chanonry　and　by　force　and　violence　entered　therein　and　　put　the　said　Christian　Scrymgeour；　the　bishop's　wife；　and　his　servants；　　children；　and　household　out　of　the　same；　intromitted　with　their　goods　and　gear　and　constrained　them　to　leave　the　country　by　sea；　not　suffering　them　to　get　meat；　drink。　or　lodging；　in　the　town；　nor　letting　them　take　away　with　them　of　their　own　gear　as　much　as　a　plaid　or　blanket　to　protect　the　　children　from　cold　in　the　boat；　〃committing　thair　throw　such　cruel　and　　barbarous　oppression　upon　them　as　the　like　has　not　been　heard　of　in　any　　realm　or　country　subject　to　justice　or　the　authority　of　a　Sovereign　　Prince。〃

Colin　did　not　appear　to　answer　this　complaint；　and　he　and　his　chief　abettors　were　denounced　rebels；　put　to　the　horn　and　escheated。　On　the　same　day；　there　is　a　complaint　by　Henry　Lord　Methven；　in　which　it　is　stated　that　although　his　Lordship　〃has　by　gift　of　His　Highness　　to　him；　his　heirs　and　assignees；　the　gift　of　all　and　whole　the　temporality　of　　the　Bishopric　of　Ross；　and　of　the　castle；　house；　and　place　of　the　Chanonry　　of　Ross；　now　vacant　in　our　Sovereign　Lord's　hands　by　the　decease　of　the　　late　Alexander；　last　Bishop　of　Ross；　of　all　years　and　terms　to　come；　aye　　and　till　the　lawful　provision　of　a　lawful　bishop　and　pastor　to　the　said　　bishopric；〃　and　although　it　is　〃specially　provided　by　Act　of　Parliament　　that　whatsoever　person　or　persons　takes　any　bishop's　places；　castles；　or　strengths；　or　enters　by　their　own　authority　to　hold　them　without　his　　Highness'　command；　letters　or　charges；　shall　incur　the　crimes　of　treason　　and　lesemajesty；〃　yet；　〃Colin　　Mackenzie　of　Kintail；　in　proud　and　high　　contempt　of　his　Majesty's　said　loveable　law　and　Act　of　Parliament；　and　of　his　Highness　now　having　the　administration　of　the　Government　of　the　　realm　in　his　own　person；　lately；　upon　the　22nd　day　of　September　last　　bypast；　in　the　very　hour　of　the　death　of　the　said　late　Alexander；　Bishop　of　　Ross；　or　shortly　thereafter　beset　and　enclosed　the　said　castle；　house；　and　　place　of　the　Chanonry　of　Ross；　took　the　same　by　force　and　as　yet　detains　　and　holds　the　same　as　a　house　of　war　and　will　not　render　and　deliver　the　　same　to　the　said　Lord　Methven。'　　Mackenzie　was　duly　charged　to　give　up　possession　of　the　castle　and　place　or　take　the　consequences。　　Lord　Methven　appeared　personally；　but　Colin　did　not；　where…upon　their　Lordships　ordained　letters　to　be　directed　to　him　charging　him　to　give　them　　up。　〃with　the　whole　munition　and　ordnance　therein〃　to　Henry　Lord　　Methven　or　to　any　other　having　power　to