TRIAL OF THE BRAES CROFTERS. 71 



Nicolson, but I do not think Nicolson came into my office, though I 

 met him on the street. 



Was there a man Angus Stewart there ? Well, I don't remem- 

 ber. 



Was not Angus Stewart, a tenant of Lord Macdonald for the last 65 

 years, their principal speaker ? You refer to a different occasion. 



When was that ? When they came arm-in-arm and shoulder-to- 

 shoulder with a piper at their head. (Laughter). 



Is it not the case that they were met by this piper, who plays for 

 money in Portree ? On the first occasion there was no piper, but on 

 the second occasion they came with this piper, and would scarcely listen 

 to me. They never came quietly to me. (Laughter). The time they 

 came with a piper they entered the rent collection room and would 

 scarcely listen to me. I called over their names to see I had nobody 

 but tenants to deal with. 



What was the object of this, Mr. Macdonald ? I told you before that 

 it was to ascertain that I had nobody but tenants to deal with. 



No intimidation in it ? I do not believe the men were ever afraid of 

 me, nor that they are so yet. (Laughter). I do not see why they 

 should be so unless they were doing wrong. 



Did you prefer a criminal charge against some of these men before 

 this charge was made ? Two widows 



Mr. Kenneth Macdonald Never mind the widows. 



Witness (excitedly) You have asked me a question, and I must 

 answer it. 



The Sheriff Did you make a criminal charge against these people ? 

 Witness I cannot answer no or yes, but two widows came to me 

 weeping, saying they had been intimidated by a number of men in the 

 Braes for paying their rents, and 1 went with these two widows to the 

 Fiscal. 



Mr. K. Macdonald Was there a charge of intimidation made to the 

 Fiscal ? 



The Sheriff He says the two old ladies 



Mr. K. Macdonald They are widows, my lord, but not old. (Laugh- 

 ter.) 



The Sheriff The question is a simple one. Did you or did you not? 



Witness They made a charge of intimidation. 



Mr. K. Macdonald But the charge fell through? Not so far as I 

 know. 



When did you hear the last of it ? I do not know if I have heard 

 the last of it yet. (Laughter.) 



