TRIAL OF THE BRAES CROFTERS. 57 



told them my name was Angus Martin, and that I was a sheriff-officer 

 from the Sheriff. When I took out the summonses they rushed forward 

 and snatched the summonses out of my hand. This was done by 

 Donald Nicolson. 



Mr. Macdonald I think we might stop this line of examination 

 now. 



Mr. Anderson On what principle ? 



Mr. Macdonald The charge is one of assault merely, and the evi- 

 dence with which it was intended to support the charge of deforcement is 

 now being led for the purpose as I take it of proving an aggravation 

 which is not libelled. 



The Sheriff overruled the objection. 



Mr. Anderson Were the crowd quiet at that time? No. They 

 were very excited. 



What was done with the summonses ? They tried to tear them up 

 and threw them on the ground. 



Did any person come up to you then ? Yes, Alex. Finlayson, who 

 had a staff in his hand. He told us that unless we turned back we 

 would lose our lives, meaning myself and the ground-officer. 



Did he dare you to proceed further ? Yes. He was also brandishing 

 the stick. Stones were thrown by the crowd, and the whole five 

 prisoners were amongst the crowd. I cannot say who threw the stones. 

 My concurrent was taken hold of by Donald Nicolson, who said, " Get 



away you b ". He had a hold of Robertson about the back, and 



Robertson was afterwards thrown to the ground. Nicolson said 

 (evidently referring to the summonses), " Lift them now, and take them 



away, you ". I do not know who it was among the crowd who 



threw Robertson on the ground. The women were very busy at that 

 time. (Laughter.) I saw James Nicolson when my concurrent was on 

 the ground. He rushed forward with his two hands closed, and asked 



who was that? On being told, he said, "Kill the b ". I can't 



say what Robertson did then, as I did not like to turn my back. I 

 wished to keep my front to them. (Laughter.) 1 think he ran towards 

 Portree. He was followed by a large crowd. The crowd continued to 

 threaten me. I spoke to them, and tried to pacify them as best I 

 could, though I was very shaky. (Laughter.) I proceeded towards 

 Portree, but the crowd followed, and continued to threaten me. Stones 

 were thrown by the crowd from Gedintailler until I reached the school- 

 house at Olach, when I got rid of them. 



Mr. Anderson Did they say anything about you not coming back 

 there again ? Yes. They told me not to come back, because I might 



