56 THE HIGHLAND CLEARANCES. 



with an aggravation, but an assault which might or might 

 not be of a serious character. 



The effect of this judgment was that the charge of deforce- 

 ment was struck out of the libel and the words printed in 

 italics were held as deleted. 



The prisoners were then asked to plead to the charge of 

 assault, and Mr. Macdonald stated that their plea was " Not 

 Guilty ". 



THE SHERIFF-OFFICER AT THE BRAES. 



Angus Martin, sheriff-officer, Portree, was the first witness called. 

 Examined by Mr. Anderson, he said A few days before the 7th April 

 last I received instructions to go to the Braes for the purpose of serving 

 summonses. I went on the 7th April to the Braes, which is about 

 eight miles from Portree. It is on the estate of Lord Macdonald. The 

 summonses I had were' for removal, and I had also some small debt 

 summonses for arrears of rent. I left Portree about twelve o'clock, ac- 

 companied by Ewen Robertson, and Norman Beaton. As we were 

 going towards the Braes, my attention was directed to two little boys, 

 who-came out on the road and looked at us. They ran away, but 

 returned a second time with small flags in their hands. Then they ran 

 towards the townships of Balmeanach, Peinachorrain, and Gedintailler. 

 When I went to Gedintailler I saw two young men with flags. They 

 were bawling out and waving the flags, the boys were also waving their 

 flags. When I got to Gedintailler a great number of persons came out. 



The Sheriff Were there two flags ? Witness Yes. 



The Sheriff After the waving a great many people came ? Witness 

 Yes. A crowd came from the townships. 



The Sheriff How many would there be? Witness I should say 

 there would be from 150 to 200, including women and children. 

 (Laughter.) 



Mr. Anderson When you say women and children do you also in- 

 clude men ? Yes. . 



Did they surround you ? Yes, sir, they did. 



The Sheriff They came towards you and surrounded you ? Yes, my 

 lord. I had not then gone off the public road. 



Mr. Anderson Did they ask you anything ? They called out to me 

 to return. I had the summonses in my pocket, and I took them out and 



