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le； and it is the unbroken tradition in Gairloch。
John Macleod was a prisoner in Gairloch； was unmarried； and easily secured where he was； in the event of this marriage taking place。 By such a union； failing issue by John； then in the power of John Roy； the ancient rights of the Macleods would revert to the Gairloch family； and a troublesome dispute would be for ever settled； if John Tolmach were at the same time captured or put to death。
It may easily be conceived how both objects would become combined but whatever the real object of the trip to Skye； it proved disastrous。 The ship found its wayintentionally on the part of the crew； or forced by a great stormto the sheltered bay of Kirkton of Raasay； opposite the present mansion house； where young MacGillechallum at the time resided。 Anchor was cast； and young Raasay； hearing that Murdoch Mackenzie was on board； discussed the situation with his friend MacGillechallum Mor MacDhomhnuill Mhic Neill； who persuaded him to visit the ship as a friend； and secure Mackenzie's person by stratagem； with the view of getting him afterwards exchanged for his own relative； John MacAllan Mhic Rory； then a prisoner in Gairloch。 Acting on this advice； young Raasay； with Gillecallum Mor and twelve of their men； started for the ship； leaving word with his bastard brother； Murdoch； to get ready all the men he could； to go to their assistance in small boats as soon as the a＇arm was given。
Mackenzie received his visitors in the most hospitable and unsuspecting manner； and supplied them with as much wine and other viands as they could consume。
Four of his men； however； feeling somewhat suspicious； and fearing the worst； abstained from drinking。 Alexander Bayne of Tulloch； and the remainder of Murdoch's men partook of the good cheer to excess； and ultimately became so drunk that they had to retire below deck。 Mackenzie； who sat between Raasay and MacGillechallum Mor； had not the slightest suspicion； when Macleod； seeing Murdoch alone； jumped up； turned suddenly round and told him that he must become his prisoner。 Mackenzie instantly started to his feet； in a violent passion； laid hold of Raasay by the waist； and threw him down； exclaiming； 〃I would scorn to be your prisoner。〃 One of Raasay's followers； seeing his young chief treated thus； stabbed Murdoch through the body with his dirk。
Mackenzie finding himself wounded； stepped back to draw his sword； and； his foot coming against some obstruction； he stumbled over it and fell into the sea。
Those on shore observing the row； came out in their small boats and seeing Mackenzie； who was a dexterous swimmer； manfully making for Sconsar； on the opposite shore； in Skye； they pelted him with stones； smashed in his brains and drowned him。 The few of his men who kept sober； seeing their leader thus perish； resolved to sell their lives dearly； and fighting like heroes； they killed the young laird of Raasay； along with MacGillechallum Mor； author of all the mischief； and his two sons。
Young Bayne of Tulloch and his six inebriated companions who had followed him below； hearing the uproar overhead； attempted to come on deck； but they were all killed by the Macleods as they presented themselves through the hold。 Not a soul of the Raasay men escaped alive from the swords of the four who had kept sober； ably supported by the ship's crew。
The small boats now began to gather round the vessel and the Raasay men attempted to get on board but they were thrown back； slain； and pitched into the sea without mercy。 The shot and ammunition having become exhausted； all the pots and pans； and other articles of furniture on board were hurled at the Macleods； while the four abstainers plied their weapons of war with deadly effect。
Having procured a lull from the attempts of the enemy； they commenced to pull in their anchor； when a shot from one of the boats killed one of themHector MacKenneth； 〃a pretty young gentleman。〃 The other three seeing him slain； and being themselves more or less seriously wounded； cut their cable； hoisted sail； and proceeded before a fresh breeze； with all the dead bodies still lying about the deck。 As soon as they got out of danger； they threw the bodies of young Raasay and his men into the sea； that they might have the same interment which their own leader had received； and whose body they were not able to search for。
It is said that none of the bodies were ever found； except that of MacGillechallum Mor； which afterwards came ashore； and was buried； in Raasay。 The Gairloch men carried the bodies of Bayne of Tulloch and his companions to Lochcarron； where they were decently interred。
The only survivors of the Rausay affair were John MacEachainn Chaoil； John MacKenneth Mhic Eachainn； and Kenneth MacSheumais。
The first named lived for thirty years after； dying in 1641； the second died in 1662； and the third in 1663all very old men。 Amongst the slain was a son of Mackenzie of Badachro； who is said to have signally distinguished himself。 The conduct of the Mackenzies of Gairloch was such on this and previous occasions that they deemed it wise to secure a remission from the Crown； which was duly granted to them in 1614； by James VI。 ＇Mackenzie's History of the Macleods； pp。 361…366。＇ The document； modernised in spelling； is as follows：
James R。Our Sovereign Lord understanding the manifold cruel and barbarous tyrannies and oppressions so frequent within he Highlands and Isles； of that （part of） his Highness's Kingdom of Scotland； before his Majesty's departure furth of the same； that one part of the inhabitants thereof being altogether void of the true ear of God； and not regarding that true and loyal obedience they ought to his Majesty in massing and drawing themselves together n troops and companies； and after a most savage and insolent form committing depredations； rieves； 〃slouthis；〃 and cruel slaughters against the most honest； godly； and industrious sort of people dwelling within and bewest the said bounds； who were a ready prey to the said oppressors； so that the said honest and peaceable subjects were oft and sundry times； for defence of their own lives； their wives and children； forced to enter into actions of hostility against the said limmers and broken men who oft and diverse times invaded and pursued them with tire and sword； reft and spuilzied their whole goods； among whom his Majesty； understanding that his Highness's lovites and true and obedient subjects； John Mackenzie of Gairloch； Alexander； Kenneth； Duncan； and William Mackenzie； his sons； dwelling within the Highlands most ‘ewest' the Isles of Skye and Lewis； who many and sundry times before his Majesty's going to England； has been most cruelly invaded and pursued with tire and sword by sundry of the said vagabonds and broken men dwelling and resorting in the Skye and Lewis and other bounds of the Highlands where they dwell； and has there…through sustained many and great slaughters； depredations and heirschips； so that in the very action of the said invasions and hostilities pursued against them； the said persons in defence of their ow