history of the mackenzies-第20章
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to receive such a visit from one to whom he had never been reconciled。 Allan； however； related how he had been oppressed by his brother and his nearest friends and how he had been refused aid from those to whom he had a natural right to look for it。 In these desperate circumstances he resolved to apply to his greatest enemy； who； he argued； might for any assistance he could give gain in return as faithful a friend as he bad previously been his 〃diligent adversary。〃 Alexander； on hearing the story； was moved to pity by the manner in which Allan had been oppressed by his own relatives； promised him the required support； proceeded in person with a sufficient force to repossess him； and finally accomplished his purpose。 The other Macdonalds； who had been dispossessed thereupon represented to the King that Alexander Mackenzie had invaded their territory as a 〃disturber of the peace； and ane oppressor；〃 the result being that he was cited before His Majesty at Edinburgh； 〃but here was occasion given to Allan to requite Alexander's generosity； for Alexander having raised armies to assist him； without commission； he found in it a transgression of the law； though just upon the matter； so to prevent Alexander's prejudice； he presently went to Holyrood house； where the King was； and being of a bold temper； did truly relate how his and Alexander's affairs stood； showing withal that he； as being the occasion of it； was ready to suffer what law would exact rather than to expose so generous a friend to any hazard。 King James was so taken with their reciprocal heroisms； that he not only forgave； but allowed Alexander； and of new confirmed Allan in the lands of Moydart。〃 ＇Cromartie MS。 of the Mackenzies。＇ The two were then allowed to return home unmolested。
Some time before this a desperate skirmish took place at a place called Bealach nam Brog； 〃betwixt the heights of Fearann Donuil and Lochbraon〃 （Dundonald and Lochbroom）； which was brought about by some of Kintail's vassals； instigated by Donald Garbh M'Iver； who attempted to seize the Earl of Ross。 The plot was； however； discovered； and M'Iver was seized by the Lord of the Isles' followers； and imprisoned in the Castle of Dingwall。 He was soon released； however； by his undaunted countrymen from Kenlochewe； consisting of Macivers； Maclennans； Macaulays； and Macleays； who； by way of reprisal； pursued and seized the Earl's relative； Alexander Ross of Balnagown； and carried him along with them。 The Earl at once apprised Lord Lovat； who was then His Majesty's Lieutenant in the North； of the illegal seizure of Balnagown； and his lordship promptly dispatched northward two hundred men； who； joined by Ross's vassals； the Munroes of Fowlis； and the Dingwalls of Kildun； pursued and overtook the western tribes at Bealach nam Brog； where they were resting themselves。 A sanguinary conflict ensued； aggravated and more than usually exasperated by a keen and bitter recollection of ancient feuds and animosities。 The Kenlochewe men seem to have been almost extirpated。 The race of Dingwall were actually extinguished； one hundred and forty of their men having been slain； while the family of Fowlis lost eleven members of their house alone； with many of the leading men of their clan。 ＇〃Among the rest ther wer slain eleven Monroes or the House or Foulls； that wer to succeed one after another； so that the succession of Foulls fell into a chyld then lying in his cradle。〃Sir Robert Gordon's History 0f the Earldom of Sutherland； p。 36。＇
An interesting account of this skirmish and the cause which led to it is given in one of the family manuscripts。 It says Euphemia Leslie； Countess Dowager of Ross； lived at Dingwall。 She would gladly have married Alexander of Kintail； he being a proper handsome young man； and she signified no less to himself。 He refused the offer； perhaps； because he plighted his faith to Macdougall's daughter； but though he had not had done so； he had all the reason imaginable to reject the Countess's offer； for besides that she was not able to add to his estate； being but a life…rentrix； she was a turbulent woman； and therefore； in the year 1426； the King committed her to prison in St。 Colin's Isle （Dingwall）； because she had instigated her son； Alexander Earl of Ross； to rebellion。 She invited Kintail to her Court in Dingwall to make a last effort； but finding him obstinate she converted her love to hatred and revenge； and made him prisoner； and either by torturing or bribing his page； he procured the golden ring which was the token between Mackenzie and Macaulay； the governor of Ellandonnan； who had strict orders not to quit the castle or suffer any one to enter it until he sent him that token。
The Countess sent a gentleman to Ellandonnan with the ring； who； by her instructions； informed Macaulay that his master was； or shortly would be； married to the Countess of Ross； desiring the Governor to repair to his master and to leave。 the stronghold with him。 Macaulay seeing and receiving the ring believed the story； and gave up the castle； but in a few days he discovered his mistake and found that his chief was a prisoner instead of being a bridegroom。 He went straight to Dingwall； and finding an opportunity to communicate with Mackenzie； the latter made allegorical remarks by which Macaulay understood that nothing would secure his release but the apprehension of Ross of Balnagown； who was grand uncle； or grand uncle's son to the Countess。 Macaulay returned to Kintail； made up a company of the 〃prettiest fellows〃 he could find of Mackenzie's family； and went back with them to Easter Ross； and in the morning apprehended Balnagown in a little arbour near the house； in a little wood to which he usually resorted for an airing； and； mounting him on horseback； carried him westward among the hills。 Balnagown's friends were soon in pursuit； but fearing capture； Macaulay sent Balnagown away under guard； resolving to fight and detain the pursuers at Bealach nam Brog； as already described； until Balnagown was safely out of their reach。
After his success here Macaulay went to Kintail； and at Glenluing； five miles from Ellandonnan； he overtook thirty men； sent by the Countess； with meal and other provisions for the garrison； and the spot； where they seized them is to this day called Innis nam Balg。 Macaulay secured them； and placed his men in their upper garments and plaids； who took the sacks of meal on their backs； and went straight with them to the garrison； whose impoverished condition induced the Governor to admit them without any enquiry； not doubting but they were his own friends。 Once inside they threw down their burdens； drew their weapons from under their plaids； seized the new Governor and all his men and kept them in captivity until Mackenzie was afterwards exchanged for the Governor and Balnagown。 ＇Ardintoul MS。＇
There has been considerable difference of opinion as to the date of this encounter； but it is finally set at rest by the discovery of a positive date in the Fowlis papers； where it is said that 〃George； the fourth Laird； and his son； begotton on Balnagown's daughter； were killed at the conflict of Beallach na Brog； in the year 1452； and Dingwall of Kildun； with several of their friends and followers； in taking back the Earl of Ross's second son from Clan Iver； Clan Tarlich or Maclennans； and Clan Leod。〃 ＇The Earl of Cromarty gives a different version； and says that the battle or skirmish took place in the year immediately after the Battle of Harlaw。
In this he is manifestly in error。 The Highlanders； to defend themselves from the arrows of their enemies； with their belts tied their shoes on their breasts； hence the name 〃Bealach nam Brog；〃 or the Pass of the Shoes。＇ The Balnagown of that date was not the Earl of Ross's son； but a near relative。
Angus Og； after many sanguinary conflicts with his father； finally overthrew him at the battle of the Bloody Bay； between Tobermory and Ardnamurchan； obtained possession of all the extensive territories of his clan； and was recognised as its legitimate head。 He then determined to punish Mackenzie for having taken his father
