第 36 节
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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