history of the mackenzies-第39章
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n Ranald's men）； the Clann Ian Uidhir； and several others of the Macdonalds； who gathered together amongst them thirty…seven birlinns with the intention of sailing to Lochbroom； and on their return to burn and harry the whole of the Mackenzie territories on the west coast。 Coming to an arm of the sea on the east side of Kyleakin called Loch na Beist； opposite Lochalsh； they sent Alexander MacGorrie forward with eighty men in a large galley to examine the coast in advance of the main body。 They first landed in Applecross； in the same spot where MacGorrie had previously killed the two Kintail men。 Kenneth was at the time on a visit to Mackenzie of Gairloch； at his house on Island Rory in Loch…Maree； and hearing of Glengarry's approach and the object of his visit； he ordered all his coasts to be placed in readiness； and sent Alexander Mackenzie of Achilty with sixteen men and eight oarsmen； in an eight oared galley belonging to John Tolmach Macleod； son of Rory； son of Allan Macleod； who still possessed a small portion of Gairloch； to watch the enemy and examine the coast as far as Kylerhea。 John Tolmach himself accompanied them； in charge of the galley。 On their way south they landed by the merest chance at Applecross； on the north side of the point at which MacGorrie landed； where they noticed a woman gathering shellfish on the shore； and who no sooner saw them than she came forward and informed them that a great galley had landed in the morning on the other side of the promontory。
This they at once suspected to contain an advanced scout of the enemy； and； ordering their boat round the point； in charge of the oarsmen； they took the shortest cut across the neck of land； and； when half way along； they met one of Macdonald's sentries lying sound asleep on the ground。 He was soon sent to his long rest； and the Mackenzies blowing up a set of bagpipes found lying beside him； rushed towards the Macdonalds； who； suddenly surprised and alarmed by the sound of the Piob mhor； and thinking a strong force was falling down upon them； fled to their boat； except MacGorrie； who； when he left it； swore a great oath that he would never return with his back to the enemy； but finding it impossible single…handed to resist； he retired a little； closely followed by the Mackenzies who furiously attacked him。 He was now forced to draw aside to a rock； against which he placed his back； and fought right manfully； defending himself with extraordinary intrepidity； receiving the enemy's arrows in his targe。 He was ultimately wounded by an arrow which struck him under the belt； yet no one dared to approach him； but John Dubh Mac Choinnich Mhic Mhurchaidh noticing his amazing agility； observing that his party had arrived with the boat； and fearing they would lose Glengarry's galley unless they at once pursued it； went round to the back of the rock against which the brave Macdonald stood； carrying a great boulder； which he dropped straight on to MacGorrie's head； instantly killing him。 Thus died the most skilful and best chieftainhad he possessed equal wisdom and discretionthen alive among the Macdonalds of Glengarry。
The Mackenzies immediately took to their boat； pursuing Macdonald's galley to Loch na Beist； where； noticing the enemy's whole fleet coming out against them； John Tolmach Macleod recommended his men to put out to sea； but finding the fleet gaining upon them； they decided to land in Applecross； where they were nearly overtaken by the enemy。 They were obliged to leave their boat and run for their lives； hotly pursued by the Macdonalds； and were it not that one of Mackenzie's men John Mac Rory Mhic Mhurchaidh Mathewsonwas so well acquainted with the ground； and led them to a ford on the river between two rocks； which the Macdonalds missed； and the night coming on； they would have been unable to escape with their lives。 The Macdonalds retraced their steps to their boats； and on the way discovered the body of Alexander MacGorrie； whose death 〃put their boasting to mourning；〃 and conceiving his fate ominous of additional misfortunes； they； carrying him along with them； prudently returned home； and disbanded all their followers。 In the flight of the Mackenzies Alexander of Achilty； being so stout that he fainted on the way； was nearly captured。 John MacChoinnich； who noticed him falling； threw some water on him； and； drawing his sword； swore that he would kill him on the spot if he did not get up at once rather than that the enemy should have the honour of killing or capturing him。 They soon arrived at Gairloch's house in the island on Loch…Maree； and gave a full account of their expedition； whereupon Kintail at once decided upon taking active measures against the Macdonalds。 In the meantime he was assured that they had returned to their own country。 He soon returned home； and found that the people of Kintail and Glengarry； tiring of those incessant slaughters and mutual injuries； agreed； during his absence； in the month of May； to cease hostilities until the following Lammas。 Of this agreement Kintail knew nothing； and young Glengarry； who was of an exceedingly bold and restless disposition； against the earnest solicitations of his father； who became a party to this agreement between his people and those of Kintail； started with a strong force to Glenshiel and Letterfearn； while Allan Macdonald of Lundy with another party went to Glenelchaig； harried those places； took away a large number of cattle； and killed some of the aged men； several women； and all the male children。
They found none of the principal and able…bodied men； who had withdrawn some distance that they might with greater advantage gather together in a body and defend themselves； except Duncan MacIan Mhic Ghillechallum in Killichirtorn； whom the enemy apprehended； and would have killed； had not one of the Macdonalds； formerly his friend and acquaintance； prevailed upon young Glengarry to save his life； and send him to the Castle of Strome； where he still had a garrison； rather than kill him。
The successful result of this expedition encouraged Angus so much that he began to think fortune had at last turned in his favour； and he set out and called personally upon all the chief and leaders of the various branches of the Macdonalds in the west； soliciting their assistance against the Mackenzies； which they all agreed to give him in the following spring。
This soon came to Mackenzie's knowledge； who was at the time residing in Ellandonnan Castle； and fearing the consequences of such a powerful combination against him； he went privately to Mull by sea to consult his brother…in…law； Hector Og Maclean of Duart； to whom he told that he had a commission of fire and sword against 〃the rebels of Glengarry and such as would rise in arms to assist them； and being informed that the Macdonalds near him （Maclean） had combined to join them； and to put him to further trouble； that； therefore； he would； not only as a good subject but as his fast friend； divert these whenever they should rise in arms against him。〃 ＇Ardintoul MS。＇ Maclean undertook to prevent the assistance of the Clan Ranald of Isla and the Macdonalds of Glencoe and Ardnamurchan； by； if necessary； invading their territories； and thus compelling them to protect their own interests at home。 It appears that old Glengarry was still anxious to arrange a permanent peace with Mackenzie； but his son Angus； restless and turbulent as ever； would not hear of any peaceful settlement； and determined to start at once upon an expedition； from which his father told him at the time he had little hopes of his ever returning alivea prediction which turned out only too true。
Angus； taking advantage of Mackenzie's absence in Mull； gathered； in the latter end of November； as secretly as be could； all the boats and great galleys within his reach； and； with this large fleet loaded with his followers passed through the Kyles under silence of night； and； coming to Lochcarron； he sent his marauders ashore in the twilight。 The inhabitants perceiving them； escaped to the hills； but the Macdonalds cruelly slaughtered all the aged men who could not escape； and many of the women and children seized all the cattle； and drove them to the Island of Slumbay； where their boats which they filled with the carcases lay。
Before； however； they had fully loaded； the alarm having gone through the districts of Lochalsh and Kintail； some of the natives of those districts were seen marching in the direction of Lochcarron。 The Macdonalds deemed it prudent to remain no longer； and set out to sea pursued by a shower of arrows by way of farewell； which； however； had little effect upon them； as they were already out of range。
The Kintail men； by the shortest route； now returned to Ellandonnan； sending twelve of the swiftest of their number across country to Inverinate； where lay； newly built； a twelve…oared galley； which had never been to sea； belonging to Gillecriost MacDhonnchaidh； one of Inverinate's tenants。 These heroes made such rapid progress that they were back at the castle with the boat before many of their companions arrived from Lochcarron。 During the night they set to work； superintended and encouraged by Lady Mackenzie in person； to make arrangements to go out and meet the enemy。 The best men were quickly picked。 The Lady supplied them with all the materials and necessaries for the journey within her reach； handed them the lead and powder with her own hands； and gave them two small pieces of brass ordnance。 She ordered Duncan MacGillechriost； a powerful handsome fellow； to take command of the galley in his father's absence； and in eloquent terms charged them all with the honour of her house and her own protection in her husband's absence。
This was hardly necessary； for the Kintail men had not yet forgotten the breach of faith which had been committed by Macdonald regarding the recent agreement to cease hostilities for a stated time； and other recent sores。 Her ladyship having wished them God…speed； they started on their way rejoicing and in the best of spirits。 She mounted the castle walls； and stood there encouraging them until； by the darkness of the night； she could no longer see them。
On their way towards Kylerhea they met a boat from Lochalsh sent out to inform them of the enemy's arrival at Kyleakin。 Learning this； they cautiously kept their course close to the south side of the loch。 It was a calm moonlight night； with occasional slight showers of snow。 The tide had already begun to flow； and； judging that the Macdonalds would await the next turning of the tide to enable them to get through Kylerhea； the Kintail men； longing for their prey； resolved to advance and meet them。
They had not proceeded far； rowing very gently； after placing seaweed in the rowlocks so as not to make a noise； when they noticed a boat； rowing at the hardest； coming in their direction； but from its small size they thought it must have been sent by the Macdonalds in advance to test the passage of Kylerhea。 They therefore allowed it to pass unmolested； and proceeded northward； looking for Macdonald's own galley。 As they neared the Cail
