GAKTINCABER 



of having seized Murdoch and his servant Peter 

 M'Kie, and cut off their right hands. Peter M'Dowall 

 was accepted as surety for his sons, who were liberated 

 on their father's undertaking that they would appear 

 for trial at Kirkcudbright, after receiving fifteen days' 

 notice. But the M'Dowalls were a powerful clan. 

 When the case was called at the assizes, a jury 

 could not be empannelled, twenty-seven persons who 

 were summoned preferring to pay the statutory fine 

 rather than serve ; and we hear no more either of 

 the malefactors or their victims. 



53 



