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

96 History of the Clan MacLean.
on that part of the island belonging to Sir Lachlan M6r MacLean. At the
same time, two gentlemen of Donald Gorm's clan — Hugh, nephew of Donald,
and MacDonald Terreagh — from the same »ause, sought shelter in another
harbor, in the immediate vicinity of that occupied by the chief of Sleat. The
two individuals above mentioned having recently quarreled with Donald, and
learning that he was then in the adjacent harbor, embraced the opportunity to
gratify their feelings of revenge by an act which they hoped might involve
Donald Gorm and his party in destruction, hy- drawing upon them the ven-
geance of the chief of MacLean. In order to accomplish their design, they
seized some of the cattle belonging to MacLean's tenants, and immediately put
to sea. Neither any of the inhabitants nor Donald Gorni had knowledge of the
presence on the island of the party who planned and executed this malicious
plot. Their nefai'ious design unfortunately took immediate effect. The Mac-
Leans, missing their cattle, at once attributed the loss to MacDonald of Sleat's
followers ; and without delay reported the matter to the chief of Duard.
Lachlan, being bound to protect his vassals, and not waiting for an investi-
gation, immediately summoned such of the clansmen as lay nearest, and with-
out delay proceeded to Jura, that he might inflict such punishment as he
thought Donald's party merited. Early in the following morning, the Mac-
Donalds were surprised at a place called Innir-Chnochd-Breachd, and fell an
easy prey to their assailants. Sixty of the MacDonalds were slain, and their
chief only escaped the same fate from the circumstance of his accidentally
sleeping on board his galley on the night of the attack. Immediately he re- ■
turned to Skye, much exasperated at what he had reason to believe was an
unprovoked attack and a wanton determination to renew hostilities. He
vowed vengeance against the MacLeans, and the feeling of revenge spread
among all the branches of the MacDonalds and their allies. Besides the
MacDonalds of Skye and Islay, who were particularly involved, there rallied
the Clanranald, the Clanian of Ardnamurchan, the Clanleod of Lewis, the
MacNeills of Gigha, the MacAUisters of Loup, the MacPhees of Colonsay,
and other tribes of lesser note.
Before the forces had gathered, preparatory to a descent on Mull, the
original cause of the rupture (the malicious conduct of the MacDonalds of
Skye) had become fully known ; but the desire for revenge was so great that
the MacDonalds Avould listen to no terms for peace until they had fully
avenged the fate of their clansmen. Sir Lachlan was forced to meet this
powerful league single-handed, and in the conflict which at once ensued he
was reduced to such straits, that in the month of September the king deemed