Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 12

The Tragedy of Clach-nan-Cean. 495
men against four. The hostile parties met at a spot not far from
the present greenhouse in Croiscrag garden. "Geill, a Chamaron-
aich," ars an Griogarach. That is, "Yield, Cameron," said
Macgregor. The late "Duncan Dubh," the CamghouiranSennachie.
in relating this part of what may be called the Battle of Croiscrag,
proudly pourtrayed Ewen's attitude and answer in words worthy
of a Highland bard :
That
Fhreagair Eoghan mar leoghann 'na gharaidh,
Cha d' gheill Camaronach riamh.' "
Ewen replied like a lion in his den,
A Cameroti never did yield.' "
There was no alternative but to set-to, strike and parry, thrust and
guard — clink, clink, clink — in right good earnest at one another —
Ewen against xA-rdlarich and the other two against three. The
Camerons, to avoid bloodshed, to which they were very averse,
stood chiefly on the defensive. But their disparity in numbers,
and the determination of the Macgregors to draw blood, made
this attitude of mere defence a very difficult, if not a dangerous,
one to maintain. While the combat was being carried on in
such a state of inequality and indecision on the Cameron side,
Marsali, who had been attentively watching the proceeding.s,
sallied out sword in hand and bravely encountered the fourth
Macgregor man. Not only did she successfully defend herself
against him, but, by a dexterous and fortunate blow, succeeded
in disarming and placing him hors de combat. She then
addressed herself to the next man, and by a slash of her sword
wounded him in his right hand, and placed him in a similar
position. At this juncture the third man's sword broke in the
middle, and he, too, was quickly disarmed and secured. And
now there only remained to be secured Macgregor of Ardlarich,
who, like a mad bull butting against a strong stone wall, was
wildly laying blow after blow on the impregnable sword and
shield defences that Ewen's experienced swordmanship cast up
against him. "Yield thee, Ardlarich," said Ewen, "and let me
not imbrue my hands in thy blood." Ardlarich, looking round
him, sulkily said, " I suppose I must yield to superior numbers,"
and gave up his sword. The victory was complete and almost