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

132 History of the Clan MacLean.
tlieir boats and friends were, but were forced to fiy to other places where they
might obtain safe passage home.
The ]MacLeans, on tlie ishmd of Elleniamh, under Hector Og, for the
reasons already stated, could only be idle spectators of the disastrous fate of
their chief and friends on shore : and unable from their reduced numbers to
make head against the MacDonalds, when the tide rolled in, they took to their
galleys and returned to Mull.
The above account, as preserved by the MacLean historians, differs ma-
terially from that given by Gregory, who says, " Sir Lachlan MacLean of Duard
had succeeded in procuring from the king a grant of part of the island of Islay,
forfeited by his old rival Angus MacDonald. Taking advantage of the dis-
sensions of Clandonald, and calculating on the youth and inexperience of his
nephew, Sir James, he levied his vassals and proceeded to Islay, in order to
expel the MacDonalds, and put himself in possession of his new acquisitions
in the island. Sir James MacDonald was not, however, disposed to yield to
the pretentions of MacLean, and had already collected a number of his clan in
Islay to oppose his uncle's proceedings. The mutual friends of both parties,
desiring to spare the effusion of blood, labored to effect a mediation between
them. A meeting was accordingly agreed to be held at Lochgruinart, in
Islay, to arrange their differences, to which place the rival chiefs repaired,
each with a considerable number of his followers, but the MacDonalds were
inferior in force. To the pressing entreaties of the mediators. Sir James Mac-
Donald yielded so far as to offer his uncle the half of the island for his life —
denying at the same time the validity of the title on w'hich MacLean founded
his pretensions — provided he would agree to hold it, as his predecessors had
held the Rhinns of Islay, for their personal service to the Clandonald. More-
over. Sir James offered to refer their disputes to the decision of any impartial
persons MacLean might choose to name ; and, in case of their differing, to the
decision of the king. But MacLean, much against the opinion of his friends,
who advised him to accept these offers, would hear of nothing but an absolute
surrender, on the part of Sir James, of all title or claim to the island. Upon
this, both parties resolved to settle the dispute by the sword. They encoun-
tered at the head of Lochgi'uniart, and a desperate conflict ensued. Sir James
in the beginning of the action caused his vanguard to make a detour, as if they
intended to retreat, but really with the object of gaining the top of an emi-
nence near at hand, which Sir Lachlan was also desirous to possess. By this
stratagem Sir James succeeded in gaining the height first, from which he charged
the ^lacLe^ins with great vigor, and, forcing their van back upon their main