history of the mackenzies-第56章
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forces and besieged the castle of Strone in Lochcarron； which at first held out very manfully； and would not surrender； though several terms were offered； which he （Mackenzie） finding not willing to lose his men； resolved to raise the siege for a time； but the defenders were so unfortunate as to have their powder damaged by the women they had within。 Having sent them out by silence of night to draw in water； out of a well that lay just at the entrance of the castle； the silly women were in such fear； and the room they brought the water into being so dark for want of light； when they came in they poured the water into a vat； missing the right one； wherein the few barrels of powder they had lay。 And in the morning； when the men came for more powder； having exhausted the supply of the previous day； they found the barrels of powder floating in the vat； so they began to rail and abuse the poor women； which the fore…mentioned Duncan Mac Ian Mhic Gilliechallum； still a prisoner in the castle； hearing； as he was at liberty through the house； having promised and made solemn oath that he would never come out of the door until he was ransomed or otherwise relieved。〃 This he was obliged to do to save his life。 But having discovered the accident which befel the powder； he accompanied his keepers to the ramparts of the castle； when he noticed his country men packing up their baggage as if intending to raise the siege。 Duncan instantly threw his plaid over the head of the man that stood next to him； and jumped over the wall on to a large dung heap that stood immediately below。 He was a little stunned； but instantly recovering himself； flew with the fleetness of a deer to Mackenzie's camp； and informed his chief of the state of matters within the stronghold。 Kintail renewed the siege and brought his scaling ladders nearer the castle。 The defenders seeing this； and knowing that their mishap and consequent plight had been disclosed by Duncan to the enemy； they offered to yield up the castle on condition that their lives would be spared； and that they he allowed to carry away their baggage。
This was readily granted them； and 〃my lord caused presently blow up the house with powder； which remains there in heaps to this day。 He lost only but two Kenlochewe men at the siege。 Andrew Munro of Teannouher （Novar） was wounded； with two or three others； and so dissolved the camp。〃 ＇Ardintoul MS。＇ Another writer says〃The rooms are to be seen yet。 It stood on a high rock； which extended in the midst of a little bay of the sea westward； which made a harbour or safe port for great boats or vessels of no great burden； on either side of the castle。 It was a very convenient place for Alexander Mac Gillespick to dwell in when he had both the countries of Lochalsh and Lochcarron； standing on the very march between both。〃
A considerable portion of the walls is still （1893） standing； but no trace of the apartments。 The sea must have receded many feet since it was in its glory； for now it barely touches the base of the rock on which the ruin stands。 We have repeatedly examined it； and with mixed feelings ruminated upon its past history； and what its ruined walls； could they only speak； might bear witness to。 In the following year （1603） the chief of Glengarry Donald Gruamach having died； and the heir being still under age； the Macdonalds； under Donald's cousin； Allan Dubh MacRanuil of Lundy； made an incursion into the country of Mackenzie in Brae Ross； plundered the lands of Cillechriost； and ferociously set fire to the church during divine service； when full of men； women； and children； while Glengarry's piper marched round the building cruelly mocking the heartrending wails of the burning women and children； playing the well…known pibroch； which has been known ever since by the name of 〃Cillechriost；〃 as the family tune of the Macdonalds of Glengarry。 〃Some of the Macdonalds chiefly concerned in this inhuman outrage were afterwards killed by the Mackenzies； but it is somewhat startling to reflect that this terrible instance of private vengeance should have occurred in the commencement of the seventeenth century； without； so far as we can trace； any public notice being taken of such an enormity。 In the end the disputes between the chiefs of Glengarry and Kintail were amicably settled by an arrangement which gave the Ross…shire lands； so long the subject of dispute； entirely to Mackenzie； and the hard terms to which Glengarry was obliged to submit in the private quarrel seem to have formed the only punishment inflicted on this clan for the cold…blooded atrocity displayed in the memorable raid on Kilchrist。〃 ＇Gregory； pp。 302…3。＇
Eventually Mackenzie succeeded in obtaining a crown charter to the disputed districts of Lochalsh； Lochcarron； and others； dated 1607； and the Macdonalds having now lost the three ablest of their leaders； Donald's successor； his second son； Alexander； considered it prudent to seek peace with Mackenzie。 This was； after some negotiation； agreed to； and a day appointed for a final settlement。
In the meantime； Kintail sent for twenty…four of his ablest men in Kintail and Lochalsh； and took them； along with the best of his own kinsmen； to Baile Chaisteil （now Grantown）； where his uncle Grant of Grant resided； with the view to purchase from him a heavy and long…standing claim which he held against Glengarry for depredations committed on Grant's neighbouring territories in Glenmoriston and Glen…Urquhart。 Grant was unwilling to sell； but ultimately； on the persuasion of mutual friends； he offered to take thirty thousand merks for his claim。
Mackenzie's kinsmen and friends from the West were meanwhile lodged in a great kiln in the neighbourhood； amusing themselves with some of Grant's men who went to the kiln to keep them company。 Kintail sent a messenger to the kiln to consult his people as to whether he would give such a large amount for Grants 〃comprising〃 against Glengarry。 The messenger was patiently listened to until he had finished； when he was told to go back and tell Grant and Mackenzie； that had they not entertained great hopes that their chief would 〃give that paper as a gift to his nephew after all his trouble；〃 he would not have been allowed to cross the Ferry of Ardersier； for they would like to know where he could find such a large sum； unless he intended to harry them and his other friends； who had already suffered quite enough in the wars with Glengarry； and； so saying； they took to their arms； and desired the messenger to tell Mackenzie that they wished him to leave the paper where it was。 And if he desired to have it； they would sooner venture their own persons and those of the friends they had left at home to secure it by force； than give a sum which would probably be more difficult to procure than to dispossess Glengarry altogether by their doughty arms。 They then left the kiln； and sent one of their own number for their chief； who； on arriving； was strongly abused for entertaining such an extravagant proposal and requested to leave the place at once。 This he consented to do； and went to inform Grant that his friends would not hear of his giving such a large sum； and that he preferred to dispense with the claim against Glengarry altogether rather than lose the goodwill and friendship of his retainers； who had so often endangered their lives and fortunes in his quarrels。
Meanwhile； one of the Grants who had been in the kiln communicated to his master the nature of the conversation which had there passed when the price asked by Grant was mentioned to the followers of Mackenzie。 This made such an impression upon Grant and his advisers； that he prevailed upon Mackenzie； who was about starting for home； to remain in the castle for another night。 To this Kintail consented； and before morning he obtained the 〃paper〃 for ten thousand merksa third of the sum originally asked for it。 〃Such familiar relationship of the chief with his people；〃 our authority says； 〃may now…a…days be thought fabulous； but whoever considers the unity； correspondence； and amity that was so well kept and entertained betwixt superiors and their fo
