Historical memoirs of Rob Roy and the Clan Macgregor

O INTRODUCTORY SKETCH.
ing the clan, who were convoked on the moment-
ous occasion. The profusion of viands that
were getting ready for the feast, astonished the
young economical chief, and he expressed his
surprise at such waste, declaring that, in place
of so many bullocks, sheep, venison, and other
things, a few hens would have been sufficient.
This remark acted like lightning among the
tribe then assembled. They proclaimed him
unworthy of being their chief, instantly dis-
carded him under the degrading title of hen
chief, and set up his nearest relation as their
head, it being considered disgraceful for a clan
to be without a chief even for one day. Soon
after this incident, the discarded chief returned
with a large force from the North Highlands, to
claim his property ; but his clan under their
adopted chieftain gave battle, slew the real
chief, and routed his party, so that the person
they had chosen then became their head by in-
disputable right.
The person in this way to be dignified was
supposed to be deserving of the honour, and
prior to his inauguration, which often was a
ceremony of great pomp, he was required to
perform some signal action worthy the head of
a clan. In the prosecution of their hereditary