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ns who joined him in the rebellion； met the King at Inverness； and submitted to his authority。 He there engaged in the most solemn manner； for himself and for his vassals； that they should yield themselves faithful and obedient subjects to David their liege lord； and not only give due and prompt obedience to the ministers of the King in suit and service； as well as in the payment of taxes and public burdens； but that they would coerce and put down all others； and compel all who dared to rise against the King's authority to make due submission； or pursue them from their respective territories。〃 For the fulfilment of these obligations； the Lord of the Isles not only gave his most solemn oath before the King and his nobles； on condition of forfeiting his whole possessions in case of failure； but offered his father…in…law； the High Steward； in security and delivered his son Donald； his grandson Angus； and his natural son； also named Donald； as hostages for the strict performance of the articles of the treaty； which was duly signed； attested and dated； the 15th November； 1369。 ＇For a full copy of this instrument； see Invernessiana； pp。 69…70。＇ Fordun says that in order to crush the Highlanders； and the more easily； as the King thought； to secure obedience to the laws； he used artifice by dividing the chiefs and promising high rewards to those who would capture or kill their brother lords； and； that writer continues 〃this diabolical plan； by implanting the seeds of disunion amongst the chiefs； succeeded； and they gradually destroyed one another。〃
Before his marriage Murdoch had three illegitimate sons。 One of them was called Hector or Eachainn Biorach。 He acquired the lands of Drumnamarg by marrying Helen； daughter of Loban or Logan of Drum…namarg； who； according to the Earl of Cromarty； 〃was one of the Earl of Ross's feuars。 This superior having an innate enmity with Kenneth's race； was the cause that this Hector had no peaceable possession of Drumnamarg； but turning outlaw； retired to Eddirachillis； where he left a son called Henry； of whom are descended a race yet possessing there； called Sliochd Ionraic； or Henry's race。〃 The second bastard was named Dugald Deargshuileach； 〃from his red eyes。〃 From him descended John Mackenzie； Commissary…Depute of Ross； afterwards in Cromarty； Rev。 Roderick Mackenzie； minister of Croy； John Mackenzie； a writer in Edinburgh； and several others of the name。 The third bastard was named Alexander； and from him descended Clann Mhurchaidh Mhoir in Ledgowan； and many of the common people who resided in the Braes of Ross。
Murdoch had another son Murdoch Riach； after his wife's death； by a daughter of the Laird of Assynt； also illegitimate； although the Laird of Applecross says that he was 〃by another wife。〃 This Murdoch retired to Edderachillis and married a Sutherland woman there； 〃where； setting up an independent establishment； he became formidable in checking the Earl of Ross in his excursions against his clan； till he was killed by a Caithness man named Budge of Toftingall。 His descendants are still styled Clann Mhuirich； and among them we trace Daniel Mackenzie； who arrived at the rank of Colonel in the service of the Statholder； who had a son Barnard； who was Major in Seaforth's regiment； and killed at the battle of Auldearn。 He too left a son； Barnard； who taught Greek and Latin for four years at Fortrose； was next ordained by the Bishop of Ross and presented to the Episcopal Church of Cromarty； where； after a variety of fortunes； he died； and was buried in the Cathedral Church of Fortrose。 Alexander； eldest son of this last （Barnard）； studied medicine under Boerhave； and retired to practice at Fortrose。 He married Ann； daughter of Alexander Mackenzie of Belmaduthy； purchased the lands of Kinnock； and left a son； Barnard； and two daughters； Catherine and Ann。〃 ＇Bennetsfield MS。 of the Mackenzies。＇
This was the turbulent and insecure state of affairs throughout the Kingdom when the chief of Mackenzie was peaceably and quietly enjoying himself in his Highland home。 He died in 1375。 ＇Murdo became a great favourite latterly with all those with whom he came in contact。 〃He fell in company with the Earl of Sutherland； who became his very good friend afterwards； as that he still resorted his court。 In end （being comely of person and one active young man） the Earl's lady （who was King Robert the Bruce's young daughter） fell in conceit of him； and both forgetting the Earl's kindness； by her persuasion； he got her with child； who she caused name Dougall；〃 and the earl suspecting nothing amiss 〃caused bred him at schools with the rest of his children but Dougall being as ill…given as gotten； he still injured the rest； and when the earl would challenge or offer to beat him； the Ladie still said； ‘Dear heart； let him alone； it is hard to tell Dougall's father；' which the good earle always took in good part。 In end； he comeing to years of discretion； she to'd her husband that Mackenzie was his father； and shortly thereafter； by way of merriment； to'd the King how his lady cheated him。 The King； finding him to be his own cousine and of parts of learning； with all to pleasure the earle and his lady； he made Dougall prior of Beauly。〃Ancient MS。＇
By his wife Isabel； only child of Macaulay of Loch。 broom； Murdoch Dubh had a son and successor；
V。 MURDOCH MACKENZIE；
Known as 〃Murchadh na Drochaid；〃 or Murdoch of the Bridge。 The author of the Ardintoul MS。 say's that 〃he was called Murdo na Droit by reason of some bad treatment his lady met with at the Bridge of Scatwell； which happened on this occasion。 He having lived for many years with his lady and getting no' children； and so fearing that the direct line of his family might fail in his person； was a little concerned and troubled thereat； which being understood by some sycophants and flatterers that were about him and would fain curry his favour； they thought that they could not ingratiate themselves more on him than putting his lady out of the way； whereby he might marry another； and they waited an opportunity to put their design in execution （some say not without his connivance）； and so on a certain evening or late at night as she was going to Achilty； where her laird lived； these wicked flatterers did presumptuously and barbarously cast her over the Bridge of Scatwell； and then their conscience accusing them for that horrid act they made off with themselves。 But the wonderful providence of God carried the innocent lady （who was then with child） nowithstanding the impetuousness of the river； safe to the shore； and enabled her in the night…time to travel the length of Achilty； where her husband did impatiently wait her coming； that being the night she promised to be home； and entertained her very kindly； being greatly offended at the maltreatment she met with。 The child she had then in the womb was afterwards called Alexander； and some say agnamed Inrick because by a miracle or Providence he escaped that danger and afterwards became heir to his father and inherited his estate。〃 The author of the Applecross MS。 says that this Baron was called