第 36 节
作者:西门在线      更新:2021-09-29 13:02      字数:9321
  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; investigating the matter; caused the  Castle of Strone; which Macdonald yielded to Mackenzie as one of the  conditions of his release; to be placed under the temporary custody of the  Earl of Argyll and Mackenzie of Kintail was detained at Edinburgh in  open ward to answer such charges as might be brought against him。  'Records of Privy Council of date 10th August and 2d December 1582;  11th January and 8th March 1582…3。' In 1586 King James VI。 granted a  remission to 〃Colin M'Kainzie of Kintaill and Rodoric M'Kainzie of  Auchterfailie〃 (Redcastle); 〃his brother; for being art and part in ‘the cruel   murder of Rodoric M'Allester in  Stroll; Gorie M'Allester; his brother; in  Stromcraig; Ronnald M'Gorie; the son of the latter; John Roy M'Allane v' Allester; in Pitnean; John Dow M'Allane v' Allester; in Kirktoun of  Lochcarroun; Alexander M'Allanroy; servitor of the deceased Rodoric; Sir  John Monro in Lochbrume; John Monro; his son; John Monro Hucheoun;  and the rest of their accomplices; under silence of night; upon the lands of  Ardmanichtyke; Dalmartene; Kirktoun of Lochcarroun; Blahat; and other  parts within the baronies of Lochcarroun; Lochbrume; Ros; and Kessane;  in the Sheriffdom of Innerness;〃 and for all their other past crimes;  'Origines Parochiales Scotia and Retours。'
  During Colin's reign Huntly obtained a commission of fire and sword against Mackintosh of Mackintosh; and reduced him to such a condition that he had to remove with all his family and friends for better  security to the Island of Moy。  Huntly; having determined to crush him;  came to Inverness and prepared a fleet of boats with which to besiege the island。  These preparations having been completed; and the boats ready to be drawn across the hills from Inverness to Moy; Mackenzie; who had  been advised of Huntly's intentions; despatched a messengerJohn  Mackenzie of Kinnockto Inverness; to ask his Lordship to be as  favourable as possible to his sister; Mackintosh of Mackintosh's wife; and  to treat her as a gentlewoman ought to be