Historical and genealogical account of the Clan Maclean

70 HISTORICAL NOTICES.
land and supply his wants by the forcible means
threatened, for that it was not the custom with
the chief of Maclean to pay ready attention to
the wants of a threatening beggar." The Don
thought it of course the wisest plan to decline
the invitation upon the Lord of Duart's terms,
and promised payment for such necessaries as
might be supplied him. On these conditions
the people of Mull had permission to furnish the
Spaniard with the supplies which he required.
In the meantime Mac-Ian of Ardnamurchan,
burning with rage at the treatment he expe-
rienced on his nuptial night, sought the aid of
the chief of Clanrannald, and seemed disposed
to provoke hostilities with the chief of Duart.
Maclean was not slow in making preparation to
chastise him ; and in preparing the expedition
set on foot for this purpose he entered into some
arrangement with the Spanish commander, by
which he was to have the assistance of a hundred
marines from the Florida, partly in return for
the provisions supplied by the inhabitants. With
these auxiliaries in addition to his own clan Sir
Lachlan proceeded against the Macdonalds,
whom he defeated in every engagement. The isles
of Muke, Rum, Egg, and Canna suffered severely
during this fresh feud. These islands subdued,
the chief of Maclean made a descent upon the
main land of Ardnamurchan, and closely invested
Mingary castle, Mac-Ian's principal residence j