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

102 History of the Clan MacLean.
Lean of Ai'dgour, a bold and spirited youth, who commanded the detached
parties, and whose bravery on this occasion overmatched his prudence, could
not witness the advance of the MacDonalds without some attempt to check
them, so he removed from the post to which he had been assigned, and
with a few followers attacked the advanced party at Sron-na-Cranalich. The
result was the loss of almost every individual of his faithful band, one of
Avhom was Allan, son of MacLean of Treshnish, a j'outh of much promise, and
whose death was greatly felt. Early on the following morning the invaders
moved forward with the intention of attacking the MacLeans in their position.
On the march, and as they were approaching the pass already mentioned, Mac-
Lean of Borreray placed himself near MacDonald of Sleat, and presuming
on the credulity and superstition of the times, and in order to affect his pur-
pose, appeared to be very dull and melancholy. MacDonald noticing this, in-
quired of him if the cause of his particularly thoughtful mood did not arise
from a reluctance to fight against his clan and kinsmen ; and if so, he was
welcome to fall back and pass to the rear, and resign his " post to such as
mio-ht not be deterred from doing their duty by such treacherous scruples."
" Treacherous scruples," replied MacLean, " I entertain not ; more care for thee
and thy followers makes me in a melancholy mood;" ^ind in a half-suppressed
tone, as if addressing himself, added, " That horrid ! and, I fear, ominously
fatal dream!" MacDonald, in great anxiety, exclaimed, "What dream?"
"Listen," said Borreray, "you shall hear: At the middle hour of night, as
a peaceful slumber came o'er me, a voice distinctly repeated the following
lines to me :
*• An Lichd-Li sin, 0! Liolid-Li !
'S iimi ort-sa blieireiir an dith !
'S iad Clann-Ghille;iin a blu-ir buaidli,
Air an t' shluagh a thig air tif;
An Gearna Dubh sin, 's i 'n Gearna Diibh,
'S ann iiinte dboirteav nn ibuil;
Marbhar an Kidire viiadli.
Mn'n leid olavdheamb 'n tvuaill an diugli."
Feared Licbid-Lee,* ah ! di'ead Liclid-I^ee!
Diieful are the deeds the fates have doomed on tliee!
Deleated l)y the sons of Gillean the invading multitude shall be.
On thee, Gearna-Dubh,f streams of blood shall flow ;
And the bold Red Knight sliall meet his death ei-e a sword is sheathed.
"■■ Lichd-Lee was tha spot where tlie Marl.oans were encamped, and was sn named from the
ground beinir partially covered willi a pavement of smooth, flat rocks, f A projecting roclc or
precipice, forming the key of the position occupied liy the MacLeans.