178 THE SUTHERLAND CLEARANCES. 



on fire till Sellar came up, and he gave instructions to put fire to it 

 immediately. Sellar himself was active in putting sticks on the fire. 

 One of the men, George M 'Leod, was ordered by Sellar to take out the 

 old woman ; but he said he would not attempt it, even though they 

 should take off his coat, as he would not be accessary to murder. 

 Sellar desired the woman to be taken out, although she should not live 

 one hour after. It was in about two minutes after this that witness's 

 sister-in-law came and took out the old woman. The blankets in which 

 she was wrapt were burnt, and the bed was going on fire before she was 

 taken out. She said. "God receive my soul ; what fire is this about 

 me ?" and never spoke a word more. At the time she said this she was 

 in bed ; lived till the following Sunday, till which time she remained 

 insensible. Before this period she was sensible enough, and could 

 speak rationally. After she was taken out, the bed and clothes were 

 burnt. She was carried to a small sheep cot, covered with turf. It 

 had no door or window, was 6 feet in length, and 5 in width ; could 

 only hold a small horse. The woman was not personally injured by the 

 fire, but the alarm and removal caused her death. The three notes, 

 which were lost, and one shilling, were in a chest, of which witness's 

 wife had the key ; she was not at home at this time, but returned in the 

 evening. Interrogated, Why they did not remove the furniture and 

 woman in the hour that intervened before Mr. Sellar came ? Witness 

 answered, because he was prevailed on not to do so. in expectation that 

 Mr. Sellar would not remove them when he came. The furniture was 

 burned, and the growing corn, which was destroyed, was in extent 

 equal to what would have been 12 sheaves in harvest, and the fire was 

 communicated to it from the house. There was wind, and it burned 

 with extreme vehemence. The timber of the house, being of moss fir, 

 belonged to the witness. The wood was thrown down before it was 

 set fire to, and Sellar said, "There's a bonfire for you". By the 

 practice of the country, the outgoing tenant is entitled to carry away 

 the timber belonging to the house, unless the incoming tenant pays for 

 it. Immediately after the fire, Mr. Sellar gave witness three shillings, 

 but 20 would not have been sufficient compensation. Sellar did not 

 tell him that this money was given for the wood. Robert M 'Donald 

 also gave him other three shillings from Mr. Sellar, as he said, for the 

 timber, which witness took, saying it was no compensation the wood 

 and workmanship of the house, independent of the furniture, was worth 

 ,20. The house was made of feal and stone. The kiln was not burnt, 

 nor the sheep cot. The kiln was loo yards from the house, but the 

 house, barn, and byre, were close to each other ; there were altogether 



