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s; lived under Glengarry; and was a very good deerstalker and an excellent shot; often resorted to the forest of Glasletter; then the property of Mackenzie of Gairloch; where he killed many of the deer。 Some time afterwards; Duncan was; in consequence of certain troubles in his own country; obliged to leave; and he; with all his family and goods; took up his quarters in Glen Affrick; close to the forest。 Soon after; he went; accompanied by a friend; to the nearest hill; and began his favourite pursuit of deerstalking。 Mackenzie's forester perceiving the stranger; and knowing him as an old poacher; cautiously walked up; came upon him unawares; and demanded that he should at once surrender himself and his arms。 Duncan; finding that Gairloch's forester was only accompanied by one gillie; 〃thought it an irrecoverable affront that he and his man should so yield; and refused to do so on any terms; whereupon the forester being ill…set; and remembering former abuses in their passages;〃 he and his companion killed the poachers; and buried them in the hill。 Fionnla Dubh Mac Dhomh'uill Mhoir and Donald Mac Ian Leith; the latter a native of Gairloch; were suspected of the crime; but it was never proved against them; though they were both several times put on their trial by the barons of Kintail and Gairloch。
About two years after the murder was committed; Duncan's bones were discovered by one of his friends; who had continued all the time diligently to search for him。 The Macdonalds always suspected foul play; and this having now been placed beyond question by the discovery of the bodies of the victims; a party of them started; determined to revenge the death of their clansman; and; arriving at Inchlochell; Glenstrathfarrar; then the property of Rory Mor Mackenzie of Redcastle; they found Duncan Mac Ian Mhic Dhomh'uill Mhoir; a brother of the suspected Finlay Dubh; without any fear of approaching danger; busily engaged ploughing his patch of land; and they at once attacked and killed him。 The renowned Rory Mor; hearing of the murder of his tenant; at once despatched a messenger to Glengarry demanding redress and the punishment of the assassins; but Glengarry refused。 Rory was; however; determined to have satisfaction; and he resolved; against the counsel of his friends; to have retribution for this and previous injuries at once and as best he could。
Having thus decided; he at once sent for his friend; Dugall Mackenzie of Applecross; to consult him as to the best mode of procedure to ensure success。
Glengarry lived at the time in the Castle of Strone; Lochcarron; and; after consultation; the two Mackenzies resolved to use every means in their power to capture him; or some of his nearest relatives。 For this purpose Dugall suggested a plan by which he thought he would induce the unsuspecting Glengarry to meet him on a certain day at Kishorn。 Rory Mor; to avoid any suspicion; was to start at once for Lochbroom; under cloak of attending to his interests there; and if Macdonald agreed to meet Dugall at Kishorn; he would immediately send notice of the day to Rory。 No sooner had Dugall arrived at home than; to carry out this plan; he dispatched a messenger to Glengarry informing him that he had matters of great importance to communicate to him; and that he wished; for that purpose; to meet him on any day which he might deem suitable。
Day and place were soon appointed; and Dugall at once sent a messenger; as arranged; with full particulars of the proposed meeting to Rory Mor; who instantly gathered his friends; the Clann Allan; and marched them to Lochcarron。 On his arrival; he had a meeting with Donald Mac Ian Mhic Ian Uidhir; and Angus Mac Eachainn; both of the Clann Ian Uidhir; and closely allied to Glengarry by blood and marriage; and living on his lands。 〃Yet notwithstanding this alliance; they; fearing his; and his rascality's further oppression; were content to join Rory in the plot。〃 The appointed day having arrived; Glengarry and his lady (a daughter of the Captain of Clan Ranald; he having。 previously sent away his lawfull wife; a daughter of the laird of Grant) came by sea to Kishorn。
He and Dugall Mackenzie having conferred together for some time discussing matters of importance to each as neighbours; Glengarry took his leave; but while being convoyed to his boat; Dugall suggested the impropriety of his going home by sea in such a clumsy boat; when he had only a distance of two miles to walk; and if he did not suspect his own inability to make the lady comfortable for the night; he would be glad to provide for her and see her home safely next morning。 Macdonald declined the proffered hospitality to his lady。 He sent her home by the boat; accompanied by four of his followers; and told Dugall that he would not endanger the boat by overloading; but that he and the remainder of his gentlemen and followers would go home on foot。
Rory Mor had meanwhile placed his men in ambush in a place still called Glaic nan Gillean。 Glengarry and his train; on their way to Strone Castle; came upon them without the slightest suspicion; when they were suddenly surrounded by Rory's followers; and called upon to surrender。 Seeing this; one of the Macdonalds shot an arrow at Redcastle; which fixed in the fringe of his plaid; when his followers; thinking their leader had been mortally wounded furiously attacked the Macdonalds; but Rory commanded his friends; under pain of death; to save the life of Glengarry; who; seeing he had no chance of escape; and hearing Redcastle's orders to his men; threw away his sword; and ran into Rory Mor's arms; begging that his life might be spared。 This was at once granted to him; but not a single one of his men escaped from Redcastle's infuriated followers; who started the same night; taking Glengarry along with him; for Lochbroom。
Even this did not satisfy the cruel disposition of Donald Mac Ian Mhic Ian Uidhir and Angus Mac Eachainn; who had an old grudge against their chief; Glengarry; his father having some time previously evicted their father from Attadale; Lochcarron; to which they claimed a right。 They; under silence of night; gathered all the Clann Ian Uidhir; and proceeded to Arinaskaig and Dalmartin; where lived at the time three uncles of GlengarryGorrie; Rorie; and Ronaldwhom they; with all their retainers; killed on the spot。 〃This murder was undoubtedly unknown to Rory or any of the Mackenzies; though alleged otherwise; for as soon as his nephew; Colin of Kintail; and his friends heard of this accident; they were much concerned; and would have him (Rory) set Glengarry at liberty but all their persuasions would not do tell he was secured of him by writ and oath; that he and his would never pursue this accident either legally or unlegally; and which; as was said; he never intended to do; till seventeen years thereafter; when; in 1597; the children of these three uncles of Glengarry arrived at manhood;〃 determined; as will be seen hereafter; to revenge their father's death。 'Ancient and Ardintoul MSS。'
Gregory; however; says (p。 219) that after his liberation; Glengarry complained to the Privy Council; who;