IN THE HIGHLANDS 23 



storm, to the sheltered bay of Kirkton of Raasay, 

 opposite the present mansion-house, where young 

 MacGillechallum of Kaasay at the time resided . Anchor 

 was cast, and young Kaasay, hearing that Murdoch 

 Mackenzie of Gairloch was on board, discussed the 

 situation with his friend MacGillechallum Mor Mac- 

 Dhomhnaill Mhic Neill, who persuaded him to visit the 

 ship as a friend and secure Mackenzie's person by 

 stratagem, with a view to getting him afterwards 

 exchanged for his own relative, John MacAilain Mhic 

 Ruairidh, then prisoner in Gairloch. Acting on this 

 advice, young Raasay, with MacGillechallum Mor and 

 twelve of their men, started for the ship, leaving word 

 with his bastard brother, Murdoch, to get ready all the 

 men he could to go to their assistance in small boats as 

 soon as the alarm was given. 



Mackenzie received his visitors in the most hospitable 

 and imsuspecting manner, and supplied them with as 

 much wine and other viands as they could consume. 

 Four of his men, however, feeling somewhat suspicious 

 and fearing the worst, abstained from drinking. 

 Alexander Bayne of Tulloch and the remainder of 

 Murdoch's men partook of the good cheer to excess, and 

 ultimately became so drunk that they had to retire 

 below deck. Mackenzie, who sat between Raasay and 

 MacGillechallum Mor, had not the slightest suspicion, 

 when Macleod, seeing Murdoch alone, jumped up, turned 

 suddenly round, and told him that he must become his 

 prisoner. Mackenzie of Gairloch instantly started to 

 his feet in a violent passion, laid hold of Raasay by the 

 waist, and threw him down, exclaiming, " I would 



