History of the Clan MacLean from its first settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the present period

Vassals of tue- Lords of the Isles — 1365 to 1493. 43
Drum singled out each other by their armorial bearings on their shields.
" Ha ! chief of Duard, follower of a rebel vassal, have I at length the satisfac-
tion to see thee within reach of my sword's point?" exclaimed the knight of
Drum. " Time-serving slave," replied MacLean, " thou hast, if it be satisfac-
tion to thee ; and if my steel be as keen as my appetite for life of thine, thou
shalt not have time to repeat thy taunt." The result was not of long dura-
tion, for such was the fury with which the heroic rivals fought, that they fell
dead foot to foot on the field, ere a friend had time to assist either. The body
of Hector was carried from the field of battle by the Clan Innes and Ilvurrich,
upon their shields, to lona, where it was entombed.
In this battle, fought July 24, 1411, the Highlanders lost nine hundred
men, a small loss compared with tliat of the Lowlandcrs. During the night,
the island lord retreated, checked and broken, but neither conquered nor very
effectually repulsed. The battle made a deep impression on the public mind,
and fixed itself in the music and poetry of Scotland. While the battle was
not decisive, and neither could well claim the victory, yet tlie insular prince
kept possession of the earldom of Ross, which after his death was conceded
to his son Alexander by King James I.
The anniversary of the battle of Harlaw was for many generations
observed by the houses of Duard and Drum ; and on such occasions an
exchange of swords took place between the respective successors of MacLean
and Irvine, as a token of respect to the memory of their brave ancestors, and
as a bond of perpetual friendship between themselves.
The traditions of the country speak affectionately of Hector Roy, and
what has been preserved represents him generous as well as brave. He left
two sons, Lachlan, who succeeded him, and John Dubh.
VII. Lachlan Bronnach, Seventh Chief of MacLean.
Lachlan, seventh ehief of MacLean, received the sobriquet of Bronnach,
or swag-bellied, on account of his corpulency. He was with- his father on the
fatal field of Harlaw, where he was made prisoner by Alexander Stewart, Earl
of Mar. During his captivity, he became acquainted with the earl's daughter,
the Lady Margaret, whom he afterward married. According to some accounts
his estates were managed by his uncle .John during his captivity, while others
state it was his brother, John Dubh. This confusion results from the names
of the two being the same. It is not probable that he remained in confinement
for any considerable length of time. He did not possess the same war-like
character that distinguished his father. He appears neither to have sought
nor avoided war, but was ready for action when the time arrived. His name,