history of the mackenzies-第52章
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In 1610 his Lordship returned to the Lewis with 700 men； and finally brought the whole island to submission； with the exception of Neil Macleod and a few of his followers； who retired to the rock of Berissay； and took possession of it。 At this period religion must have been at a very low ebbalmost extinct among the inhabitants； and； to revive Christianity among them； his Lordship selected and took along with him the Rev。 Farquhar Macrae； a native of Kintail and minister of Gairloch； ＇He brought with him Mr Farquhar Macrae； who was then a young man and minister of Gairloch and appointed by the Bishop of Ross （Lesley） to stay with Sir George Hay and the Englishmen that were with him in Letterewe； being a peaceful and eloquent preacher。Ardintoul MS。＇ who had been recommended to the latter charge by the bishop of Ross。 Mr Macrae found quite enough to do on his arrival in the island； but he appears to have been very successful among the uncivilised natives； for he reports having gained many over to Christianity； baptised a large number in the fortieth year of their age； and； to legitimise their children； marrying many others to those women with whom they had been for years cohabiting。 Leaving the reverend gentleman in the prosecution of his mission； his Lordship returned home； having established good order in the island； and promising to return again the following year； to the great satisfaction of the people。
Some time before this Alexander MacGorrie and Ranald MacRory； sons of Glengarry's uncles murdered in 1580 in Lochcarron； having arrived at maturity； and being brave and intrepid fellows； determined to revenge upon Mackenzie the death of their parents。 With this object they went to Appelcross； where lived one of the murderers； John Og； son of Angus； MacEachainn； surrounded his house； and set lire to it； burning to death himself and his whole family。 Kintail sought redress from Glengarry； who； while he did not absolutely refuse； did not grant it or punish the wrong…doers； and encouraged by Glengarry's eldest son； Angus； who had now attained his majority； the cousins； taking advantage of the absence of Mackenzie； who had gone on a visit to France； continued their depredations and insolence wherever they found opportunity。 Besides； they made a complaint against him to the Privy Council； whereupon he was charged at the pier of Leith to appear before the Council on an appointed day under pain of forfeiture。 In this emergency； Mr John Mackenzie； minister of Dingwall； went privately to France in search of his chief； whom he found and brought back in the most secret manner to Edinburgh； fortunately in time to present himself next day after his arrival before the Council； in terms of the summons at Glengarry's instance； and； after consulting his legal adviser and other friends； he appeared quite unexpectedly before their Lordships。
Meantime； while the gentlemen were on their way from France； Alexander MacGorrie and Alexander MacRory killed in his bed Donald Mackenneth Mhic Alastair； a gentleman of the family of Davochmaluag； who lived at Kishorn。 The shirt； covered with his blood； had been sent to Edinburgh to await the arrival of Mackenzie； who the same day presented it before the Privy Council； as evidence of the foul crime committed by his accusers。 Glengarry was unable to prove anything material against Kintail or his followers。 On the contrary； the Rev。 John Mackenzie； of Dingwall； charged Glengarry with being instrumental in the murder of John Og and his family at Applecross； as also in that of Donald Mackenzie of Davochmaluag； and undertook not only to prove this； but also that he was a sorner； an oppressor of his own and of his neighbours' tenants； an idolater； who had a man in Lochbroom making images； in testimony of which he carried south the image of St。 Coan； which Glengarry worshipped； called in Edinburgh Glengarry's god； and which was； by public order； burnt at the Town Cross that Glengarry was a man who lived in constant adultery with the Captain of Clan Ranald's daughter； after he had put away Grant of Grant's daughter； his lawful wife； whereupon Glengarry was summoned there and then to appear next day before the Council； and to lodge defences to this unexpected charge。 He naturally became alarmed； and fearing the worst； fled from the city during the night； 〃took to his heels；〃 and gave up further legal proceedings against Mackenzie。 Being afterwards repeatedly summoned； and failing to put in an appearance； most of the charges were found proven against him； and in 1602； ＇Records of Privy Council； 9th September； 1602； Sir Robert Gordon's Earldom of Sutherland； p。 248； Letterfearn； Ardintoul； and other MS。 Histories of the Mackenzies。＇ he was declared outlaw and rebel； a commission of fire and sword was granted to Mackenzie against him and all his followers； with a decree of ransom for the loss of those who were burnt and plundered by him； and for Kintail's charges and expenses； making altogether a very large sum。 But while these legal matters were being arranged； Angus Macdonald； younger of Glengarry； who was of a restless； daring disposition； went along with some of his followers under silence of night to Kintail； burnt the township of Cro； killed and burnt several men； women； and children； and carried away a large spoil of cattle。
Mackenzie； hearing of this sudden raid； became much concerned about the loss of his Kintail tenants； and decided to requite the quarrel by at once executing his commission against the Macdonalds of Glengarry； and immediately set out in pursuit； leaving a sufficient number of men at home to secure the safety of his property。 He took along with him a force of seventeen hundred men； at the same time taking three hundred cows from his farm of Strathbraan to maintain his followers。 Ross of Balnagowan sent a party of a hundred and eighty men； under command of Alexander Ross of Invercharron； to aid his neighbour of Kintail； while John Gordon of Embo commanded a hundred and twenty men sent to his aid by the Earl of Sutherland； in virtue of the long standing bond of manrent which existed between the two families； but Sir John 〃retired at Monar； growing faint…hearted before he saw the enemie〃。 Andrew Munro of Novar also accompanied Kintail on this； as on several previous expeditions。 The Macdonalds； hearing of Mackenzie's approach； drove all their cattle to Monar； where they gathered in strong force to guard them。 Kintail； learning this； marched straight where they were； harried and wasted all the country through which he had to pass； defeated and routed the Macdonalds； and drove into Kintail the largest booty ever heard of in the Highlands of Scotland； 〃both of cows； horses； small bestial； duinuasals； and plenishing； which he most generously distributed amongst his soldiers； and especially amongst such strangers as were with him； so that John Gordon of Embo was at his repentance for his return。〃 Mackenzie had only two men killed in this expedition； though a few of the Kintail men； whom he caused to be carried home on litters； were wounded。
Several instances are recorded of the prowess and intrepidity of Alexander of Coul on this occasion。 He was； excepting John MacMhurchaidh Mhic Gillechriost； the fastest runner in the Mackenzie country。 On his way to Kintail； leading his men and driving the creach before them； he met three or four hundred Camerons； who sent Mackenzie a message demanding 〃a bounty of the booty〃 for passing through their territory。 This Kenneth was about to grant； and ordered thirty cows and a few of the younger animals to be given； saying that it 〃was fit that hungry dogs should get a collop；〃 whereupon Alexander of Coul and his brave band of one hundred and twenty followers started aside and swore with a great oath that if the Camerons dared to take away a single head； they would； before night； pay dearly for them； and have to light for their collop； for he and his men； he said； had already nearly lost their lives driving them through a wild and narrow pass where eighteen of the enemy fell to their swords before they were able to get the cattle through； but he would now let
