history of the mackenzies-第53章
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cattle through； but he would now let them pass in obedience to his chief's commands。 The messengers； hearing the ominous threat； notwithstanding Kenneth's personal persuasion； declined on any account to take the cattle； and marched away 〃empty as they came。〃
Before starting from home on this expedition Kintail drove every one of Glengarry's followers out of their holdings in Lochalsh and Lochcarron； except a few of the 〃Mathewsons and the Clann Jan Uidhir；〃 and any others who promised to submit to him and engaged to prove their sincerity by 〃imbrowing their bands in the enemy's blood。〃 The Castle of Strome； however； still continued in possession of the Macdonalds。
Mackenzie； after his return home； had not well dissolved his camp when Alexander MacGorrie and Ranald MacRory made an incursion to the district of Kenlochewe； and there meeting some women and children who had fled from Lochcarron with their cattle； he attacked them unexpectedly； killed several of the defenceless women； all the male children； slaughtered and took away many of the cattle； and 〃houghed〃 all they were not able to carry along with them。
In the following autumn； Alexander MacGorrie made a voyage to Applecross in a great galley； contrary to the advice of all his friends； who looked upon that place as a sanctuary which all Highlanders had hitherto respected as the property of the Church。 Notwithstanding that many took refuge in it in the past； he was the first man who ever pursued a fugitive to the place； 〃but；〃 says our authority； 〃it fared no better with him or he rested； but be being informed that some Kintail men； whom he thought no sin to kill anywhere；〃 bad taken refuge there with their cattle； he determined to kill them； but on his arrival he found only two poor fellows； tending their cows。 These he murdered； slaughtered all the cows； and took away as many of them as his boat would carry。
A few days after this； Glengarry combined with the Clann Alain of Moydart （whose chief was at the time captain of Clan 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
