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l prevail over my endeavours； that I might have this boat and these provisions as a safe retreat； both for myself and you； whom I should be loath to expose to so great a danger without some probability in the attempt； and some security in the disappointment。 I am resolved this night to fall on my uncle for he being gone； there is none of his children who dare hope to repose themselves to his place。 The countrymen who now； for fear； depend on him and disown me； will； no doubt； on the same motives； promoved with my just title； own me against all other injurious pretenders。 One thing I must require of you； and it is that albeit those on whom we are to fall are all related both to you and to me； yet since on their destruction depends the preservation of our lives； and the restitution of my estate； you must all promise not to give quarter to my uncle or to any of his company。〃
To this inhuman resolution they all agreed； disregarding the natural ties of blood and other obligations； and； marching as quietly as possible； they arrived at Hector's house； surrounded it； and set fire to itguarding it all round so that not a soul could escape。 The house was soon in flames； and the inmates； Hector and his household； were crying out for mercy。 Their pitiful cries made an impression on those outside； for many of them had relatives within； and in spite of their previous resolution to give no quarter； some of them called out to their nearest friends to come out and surrender； on assurance of their lives being spared。 John seeing so many of his followers moved to this merciful conduct； and being unable to resist them； exclaimed； 〃My uncle is as near in blood to me as any in the house are to you； and therefore I will be as kind to him as you are to them。〃
He then called upon Hector to surrender and come forth from the burning pile； assuring him of his life。 This he did； but Donald Dubh MacGillechriost Mhic Gillereach； a Kenlochewe man； made for the door with his two…edged sword drawn； whereupon Hector seeing him called out to John that he would rather be burned where he was than face Donald Dubh。 John called the latter away； and Hector rushed out into his nephew's arms and embraced him。 That same night John and Hector； without 〃Dysman；〃 saving God and such commons as were then present； agreed and condescended that Hector should have the estate till John was twenty…one years of age； and that John should live on his own purchases till then； Hector was to set the whole estate immediately； as tutor to John； which next day he went about。 〃I cannot forget what passed betwixt him and the foresaid Donald at the set of Kenlochewe； who was one of the first that sought land from him； which when he sought； Hector says to him： ‘I wonder； Donald； how you can ask land this day； that was so forward to kill me the last day。' Donald answered that ‘if he had such a leader this day as he had that night he should show him no better quarters； for Kenneth's death （meaning Kenneth Aack） struck nearer my heart than any prejudice you can do me in denying me land this day。' Hector said； ‘Well Donald； I doubt ye not if you had such coildghys （coldhaltasfosterage） to me as you had to that man but you would act the like for me。 Therefore you shall have your choice of all the land in the country。' Hector having set the whole estate as tutor； all things seemed fair； only that Allan and his faction in Kintail； who previously urged John to possess himself of Ellandonnan Castle； were not satisfied with the arrangement； as John was still kept out of the stronghold； ‘which Hector would not grant； not being condescended on （and as he alleged） lest John should fail on his part but the factionsthe commonswithin that country could not be satisfied herewith； being； as it was said； moved hereto by an accident that fell out a year or two before。'〃 ＇Ancient MS。＇ This 〃accident〃 is described further on； and refers to Hector's alleged attempt to get Allan assassinated at Invershiel。
Donald Dubh was Kenneth Og's foster…brother； and Imagining that Hector was accessory in an underhand way to Kenneth's captivity in Edinburgh Castle； and consequently to his death in the Torwood； he conceived an inveterate hatred for him； and determined to kill him in revenge the first opportunity that presented itself。 Hector； knowing that his resolution proceeded from fidelity and affection to his foster…brother and master； not only forgave him； but ultimately took an opportunity of rewarding him and； as we have seen； afterwards gave him his choice of all the lands in Kenlochewe。
John immediately sent word of what had taken place to his uncle of Lovat； and next day marched for Kintail； where all the people there； as well as in the other parts of his property； recognised him as their chief。
The Castle of Ellandonnan was delivered up to him； with the charter chest and other evidences of his extensive possessions。
It has been maintained by the family of Gairloch that there is no truth in the charge against their ancestor； Hector Roy； which we have just given mainly on the authority of the Earl of Cromartie。 The writer of the Ardintoul MS。 of the Mackenzies； ＇Dr George Mackenzie gives substantially the same account；＇ however corroborates his lordship； and says that John was but young when his father died； and Hector； his younger uncle （Duncan； Hector's eldest brother； who should be tutor being dead； and Allan； Duncan's son； not being able to oppose or grapple with Hector）； meddled with the estate。 It is reported that Hector wished Allan out of the way； whom he thought only to stand in his way from being laird； since he was resolved not to own my Lord Lovat's daughter's children； being all bastards and gotten in adultery。 The reason why they entertained such thoughts of him was partly this： Hector going to Ellandonnan （where he placed Malcolm Mac Eancharrich constable） called such of the country people to him as he judged fit； under pretence of setting and settling the country； but asked not for； nor yet called his nephew Allan； who lived at Invershiel； within a few miles of Ellandonnan； but went away。 Allan； suspecting this to have proceeded from unkindness； sends to one of his familiar friends to know the result of the meeting； or if there was any spoken concerning him。 The man； perhaps； not being willing to be an ill instrument twixt so near relations； sends Allan the following Irish （Gaelic） lines：
Inversheala na struth bras； Tar as； ‘s fear foul ga d' fheitheamh； Nineag； ga caol a cas； Tha leannan aice gun thios； A tighinn ga'm fhaire a shios； Tha i； gun fhios； fo mo chrios Tha ‘n sar lann ghuilbneach ghlas； Bhehion urchair dha le fios。
Allan put his own construction on them； and thought a friend warned him to have a care of himself； there being some designs on him from a near relation； and so that very night； in the beginning thereof； he removed himself and family and anything he valued within the house to an bill above the town； where he might see and bear anything that might befall the house； and that same night about cock crow he saw bis house and biggings in flames； and found them consumed