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as they had themselves； and further he desired them to consider what would be the consequences； for if the least drop of blood was shed； Rory would be immediately put to death； and so all their pains would be lost。 He thus prevailed upon them to keep quiet。 In the meantime Rory struggled with the Kintail men； and would not be taken or go along with them； until John Mor； afterwards agnamed Ian Mor nan Cas； brother to Gillecriost MacFhionnla； took Rory by the feet and cast him down。 They then bound him and carried him on their shoulders； until he consented to go along with them willingly； and without further objection。 They took him to Ellandonnan； whence shortly after he was sent south to the King； where he had to take his trial。 He； however； denied the whole affair； and in the absence of positive proof； the judges declined to convict him； but the King； quite persuaded of his guilt； ordered him to be sent a prisoner to the Bass Rock； with strict injunctions to have him kept in chains。 This order was obeyed； and Rory's hands and legs were much pained and cut with the irons。 The governor had unpleasant feuds with one of his neighbours； which occasioned several encounters and skirmishes between their servants； who came in repeatedly with wounds and bruises。 Rory； noticing this to occur frequently； said to one of them； 〃Would to God that the laird would take me with him； and I should then be worth my meat to him and serve for better use than I do with these chains。〃 This was communicated to the governor； who sent for Rory and asked him if he would fight well for him。 〃If I do not that；〃 said he； 〃let me hang in these chains。〃 He then took his solemn oath that he would not run away； and the governor ordered the servants to set about curing Rory's wounds with ointments。 He soon found himself in good condition to fight； and an opportunity was not long delayed。 The governor met his adversary accompanied by his prisoner； who fought to admiration； exhibiting great courage and enormous strength。 He soon routed the enemy； and the governor became so enamoured of him that he was never after out of his company whenever he could secretly have him unknown to the Court。
About this time an Italian came to Edinburgh； who challenged the whole nation to a wrestling match for a large sum of money。 One or two grappled with him； but he disposed of them so easily that no one else could be found to engage him。 The King was much annoyed at this； and expressed himself strongly in favour of any one who would defeat the Italian； promising to give him a suitable reward。 The governor of the Rock having heard of this； thought it an excellent opportunity for his prisoner to secure his freedom； and at the same time redeem the credit of the nation； and he informed the King that a prisoner committed to the Bass by his Majesty if released of his irons would； in his opinion； match the Italian。 The King immediately answered； 〃His liberty； with reward； shall he have if he do so。〃 The governor； so as not to expose his own intimate relations with and treatment of the prisoner； warily asked that time should be allowed to cure him of his wounds； lest his own crime and Rory's previous liberty should become known。 When sufficient time had elapsed for this purpose a day was appointed； and the governor brought Rory to Holyrood House to meet the King； who enquired if he 〃would undertake to cast the Italian for his liberty？〃 〃Yes； sir；〃 answered Rory 〃it will be a hard task that I will not undertake for that； but； sir； it may be； it will not be so easy to perform as to undertake； yet I shall give him a fair trial。〃 〃Well〃 said the King； 〃how many days will you have to fit yourself？〃 〃Not an hour〃 replied Rory。 His Majesty was so pleased with his resolution that he immediately sent to the Italian to ask if he would accept the challenge at once。 He who had won so many victories so easily already did not hesitate to grapple with Rory； having no fear as to the result。 Five lists were prepared。 The Italian was first on the ground； and seeing Rory approaching him； dressed in his rude habit； without any of the usual dress and accoutrements； laughed loudly。 But no sooner was he in the Highlander's grasp than the Italian was on his knee。 The King cried with joy； the Italian alleged foul play； and made other and frivolous excuses； but His Majesty was so glad of the apparent advantage in his favour that he was unwilling to expose Rory to a second hazard。 This did not suit the Highlander at all； and he called out； 〃No； no； sir； let me try him again； for now I think I know his strength。〃 His Majesty hearing this； consented； and in the second encounter Rory laid firm hold of the foreigner； pulled him towards him with all his might； breaking his back； and disjointing the back…bone。 The poor fellow fell to the ground groaning with pain； and died two day's after。 The King； delighted with Rory's prowess； requested him to remain at Court； but this he refused； excusing himself on the ground that his long imprisonment quite unfitted him for Court life； but if it pleased his Majesty he would send him his son； who was better fitted to serve him。 He was provided with money and suitable clothing by Royal command。 The King requested him to hasten his son to Court； which he accordingly did。 This son was named Murdoch； and His Majesty became so fond of him that he always retained him about his person； and granted him； as an earnest of greater things to follow； the lands of Fairburn； Moy； and others adjoining； also the Ferry of Scuideal； but Murdoch being unfortunately absent from the Court when the King died； he missed much more which his Majesty had designed for him。 ＇Ardintoul and Cromartie MS。 Histories of the Mackenzies。＇
The following； told of Roderick and Kenneth； the fifth son； is also worth a placeKenneth was Chaunter of Ross； and perpetual Curate of Coinbents； which vicarage he afterwards resigned into the hands of Pope Paulus in favour of the Priory of Beauly。 Though a priest and in holy orders he would not abstain from marriage； for which cause the Bishop decided to have him deposed。 On the appointed day for his trial he had his brother Rory at Chanonry；； when the trial was to take place； with a number of his followers。 Kenneth presented himself before the Bishop in his long gown； but under it he had a two…edged sword； and drawing near his Lordship； who sat in his presiding chair； whispered in his ear； 〃It is best that you should let me alone； for my brother Rory is in the churchyard with many ill men； and if you take off my orders he will take off your head； and I myself will not be your best friend。〃 He then coolly exposed his penknife； as he called his great sword； 〃which sight； with Rory's proximity； and being a person whose character was well enough known by his Lordship； he was so terrified that he incontinently absolved and vindicated the good Chaunter；〃 who ever after enjoyed his office （and his wife） unchallenged。
Sir Kenneth of Kintail； who was knighted by James IV。 〃for being highly instrumental in reducing his fierce countrymen to the blessings of a civiliz