Historical account of the family of Frisel or Fraser, particularly Fraser of Lovat

106
HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE
■■» Memoirs of the
Marquis of Mon-
trose, p. 110.
» Ibid. 132.
y MSS. of Frasers
in Advo. Library.
Shaw's Moray,
p. 225.
Wardlaw MSS.
the clan of the Frasers being on his march against him.'' Learning at
the same time, that Argyll was in his rear with a force of 3000 men, he
thought it of greater importance to attack him, and thereby lessen the
consequence of that chieftain ; when, if victorious, Seaforth's disorderly
rabble would be easily dealt with. Accordingly he traversed the moun-
tains of Lochaber, and falling on the enemy, gained the battle of Inver-
lochy, 2d February 1645.
The Frasers still retained their affection for the covenanters' cause ;
for, when Montrose had secured his retreat from the attack of Baillie,
and afterwards following Ury, had compelled that commander to re-
tire to Inverness, they joined him in considerable force." "With them and
his other reinforcements, Ury marched against the Marquis, and gave
battle, on the 4th of May, the same year, at the village of Auldearn, where
he was totally defeated. A Captain Drummond, on whom the blame of
the defeat was laid, was shot after the battle on the high road to Tomna-
hurich.^ Montrose shortly afterwards acquired an important auxiliary
in the Earl of Seaforth, whom disappointed vanity or disgust tempted to
desert the covenanters' ranks. Whilst the northern parts of the king,
dom were torn by these civil dissensions. Lord Lovat died on the l6th
February 1646. On the death of his thii'd son Alexander in I67O, the
only one of his numerous family then in life, was Thomas of Beaufort. '
A barbarous act of injustice is handed down by tradition, as having
occurred with Lord Lovat's sanction. Lady Lovat having brought
north with her a considerable quantity of gold and jewels, the same
were said to have been stolen by a girl of the name of Kennedy, one
of her maids. The unfortunate wretch was sentenced to be drowned
for her supposed crime, and on immersion, to elicit confession, she
stretched forth her hands as if to make a disclosure, but ere more could
be tJ-ained, death put an end to her sufferings. Some time aftenvards, a
smith found a pot of gold, and it being matter of belief that none in
his rank of life "could have come honestly by it, he Hkewise was put to
the torture -, but his obstinacy baffled his tormentors, and he died in
chains, in the vault of Beauly, without any confession, leaving his