76 THE HIGHLAND CLEARANCES. 



And the people wished to get the land back at that term ? There 

 was some indication that way. 



Did you make them any promise ? I made no promise. 



Did you hold out any hope ? No ; certainly no distinct hope. 



Then, was it from you they got their information ? I don't remember, 

 but it is quite possible. 



Did you renew the lease during your factorship ? I believe I did. 



For a further period ? Yes. And without informing them ? I don't 

 remember, but it is quite possible. 



In answer to Mr. Anderson, Mr. Macdonald said Benlee had not 

 been in the possession of the crofters for the past 1 6 or 17 years. 



The Sheriff. Benlee is advertised to let now. 



Mr. K. Macdonald Yes, in the Courier of to-day. 



Mr. A. Macdonald, factor And the tenants may have it if they like 

 to pay rent for it. 



EVIDENCE OF CROFTERS. 



John Finlayson, a tenant of the Braes, said, in reply to Mr. Mac- 

 donald I was at the Braes when Martin arrived, and saw him with the 

 papers in his hands. He handed them over to Donald Nicolson, who 

 took them and threw them back to Martin, who turned his back, and I 

 think refused to take them back. Some one in the crowd said to Nicol- 

 son that he had no right to the papers, and he then dropped them on the 

 ground, and the children trod upon them. No one struck Martin, or 

 even threatened to strike him. I heard some one saying to Martin, 

 " Be not afraid, no one will touch you". Robertson at this time had 

 gone homewards, the children following him. Martin also followed, 

 but after he had gone some distance he stopped, and asked for a light. 

 He got an ember of a peat, with which he set a paper (a paper about 

 the size of a summons) on fire, and put some more with it. He said, 

 "Stand back and don't smother it," and added, "There it is for you, 

 boys ". He appeared to be laughing, and did not seem to be afraid. 

 He afterwards had a smoke and chatted with the people. He made a 

 speech before leaving, in which he said, "Be hardy and active ; you 

 will not see me again, and you will get Benlee". He also said he did 

 not blame them for what they had done, and said if he had been in 

 their place he would have done the same thing. He shook hands with 

 a number of people before leaving. I did not see any person strike 

 Martin. 



By Mr. Anderson I joined the crowd when they began. I went 

 there just because I followed the rest. 



