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The author of the Ardintoul MS。 informs us that MacLean had actually invaded Ardnamurchan； and carried fire and sword into that and the adjoining territory of the Macdonalds； whereupon the Earl of Argyll； who claimed the Macdonalds of those districts as his vassals and dependants； obtained criminal letters against MacLean； who； finding this； sent for his brother…in…law； Mackenzie of Kintail； at whose request he had invaded the country of the Macdonalds。 Both started for Inveraray。 The Earl seemed most determined to punish MacLean； but Mackenzie informed him that 〃he should rather be blamed for it than MacLean； and the King and Council than either of them； for he having obtained； upon good grounds； a commission of fire and sword against Glengarry and such as would assist him； and against these men's rebellious and wicked courses； which frequently his lordship seemed to own； that he did charge； as he did several others of the king's loyal subjects； MacLean to assist him。〃 So that； if Maclean was to be punished for acting as his friend and as a loyal subject； he hoped to obtain a hearing before the King and Council under whose orders he acted。 After considerable discussion they parted good friends； Argyll having agreed not to molest MacLean any further。 Mackenzie and MacLean returned to Duart； where his lordship was warmly received and sumptuously entertained by MacLean's immediate friends and kinsmen for the service which he had just rendered to their chief。 While thus engaged； a messenger arrived at the castle from Mackenzie's lady and the Kintail men。
After the funeral of young Angus of Glengarry； she became concerned about her husband's safe return； and was at the same time most anxious that he should be advised of the state of matters at home。 She therefore despatched Robert Mac Dhomh'uill Uidhir to arrange the safest plan for bringing her lord safely home； as the Macdonalds were still prowling among the creeks and bays further south。 Robert； after the interchange of unimportant preliminaries； on his arrival in Mull； informed his master of all that had taken place during his absence。 MacLean； surprised to hear of such gallant conduct by the Kintail men in the absence of their chief； asked Mackenzie if any of his own kinsmen were amongst them； and being informed they were not； Maclean replied； 〃It was a great and audacious deed to be done by fellows。〃 〃Truly； MacLean；〃 returned Mackenzie； 〃they were not fellows that were there； but prime gentlemen； and such fellows as would act the enterprise better than myself and kinsmen。〃 〃You have very great reason to make the more of them；〃 said Maclean； 〃he is a happy superior who has such a following。〃 Both chiefs then went outside to consult as to the best and safest means for Mackenzie's homeward journey。 MacLean offered him all his chief and best men to accompany him by land； but this he declined； saying that he would not put his friend to such inconvenience； and would return home in his own boat just as he came； but he was ultimately persuaded to take MacLean's great galley； his own being only a small one。 He sailed in his friend's great birlinn； under the command of the Captain of Cairnburgh； accompanied by several other gentlemen of the MacLeans。
In the meantime； the Macdonalds； aware that Mackenzie had not yet returned from Mull； 〃convened all the boats and galleys they could； to a certain island which lay in his course； and which he could not avoid passing。 So； coming within sight of the island； having a good prospect of a number of boats； after they bad ebbed in a certain harbour； and men also making ready to set out to sea。 This occasioned the captain to use a stratagem； and steer directly to the harbour； and still as they came forward be caused lower the sail； which the other party perceiving made them forbear putting out their boats； persuading themselves that it was a galley they expected from Ardnamurchan； but they had no sooner come forgainst the harbour but the captain caused hoist sail； set oars and steers aside； immediately bangs up a bagpiper and gives them shots。 The rest； finding the cheat and their own mistake； made such a hurly…burly setting out their boats； with their haste they broke some of them； and some of themselves were bruised and bad broken shins also for their prey； and such as went out whole； perceiving the galley so far off； thought it was folly to pursue her any further； they all returned wiser than they came from home。 This is； notwithstanding other men's reports； the true and real narration of Glengarrie Younger his progress； of the Kintail men their meeting him in Kyle Rhea； of my lord's coming from Mull； and of the whole success； which I have heard verbatim not only from one but from several that were present at their actings。〃 ＇Ancient MS。 The authors of the Letterfearn and Ardintoul MSS。 give substantially the same account； and say that among those who accompanied Mackenzie to Mull； was 〃Rory Beg Mackenzie； son to Rory More of Achiglunichan。 Fairburn and Achilty's predecessor； and who afterwards died parson of Contine； from whom my author had the full account of Mackenzie's voyage to Mull。〃＇
Mackenzie arrived at Ellandonnan late at night； where he found his lady still entertaining her brave Kintail men after their return from Glengarry's funeral。 While not a little concerned about the death of his troublesome relative； he heartily congratulated his gallant retainers on the manner in which they had protected his interests during his absence。
Certain that the Macdonalds would never rest satisfied until they wiped out and revenged the death of their leader； Mackenzie determined to drive them out of the district altogether。 The castle of Strome still in possession of Glengarry； was the greatest obstacle in carrying out this resolution； for it was a good and convenient asylum for the Macdonalds when pursued by Mackenzie and his followers； but he ultimately succeeded in wresting it from them。
The following account is given in the Ancient MS。 of how it was taken from them：〃In the spring of the following year； Lord Kintail gathered together considerable forces and besieged the castle of Strone in Lochcarron； which at first held out very manfully； and would not surrender； though several terms were offered； which he （Mackenzie） finding not willing to lose his men； resolved to raise the siege for a time； but the defenders were so unfortunate as to have their powder damaged by the women they had within。 Having sent them out by silence of night to draw in water； out of a well that lay just at the entrance of the castle； the silly women were in such fear； and the room they brought the water into being so dark for want of light； when they came in they poured the water into a vat； missing the right one； wherein the few barrels of powder they had lay。 And in the morning； when the men came for more powder； having exhausted the supply of the previous day； they found the barrels of powder floating in the vat； so they began to rail and abuse the poor women； which the fore…mentioned Duncan Mac Ian Mhic Gilliechallum； still a prisoner in the castle； hearing；