208 A SCOTTISH BLOOD-FEUD 



renunciation of the lands. This took place on the 1st 

 of September 1570. Apparently Cassilis found a flaw in 

 the conveyance, for on the 7th of the same month he 

 brought another paper for signature by the miserable 

 commendator, who boldly replied that he would rather 

 die than obey. On this the ferocious monster ordered 

 the fire to be rekindled and the torture repeated. 

 ' Then,' runs Stewart's supplication, 



' being in so grit paine, as I truste never man was in. ... 

 I cried, " Fye vpon you ! will ye ding whingaris (drive swords) 

 in me and put me out of this world 1 or elis put a barrell of 

 poulder vnder me, rather nor to be demaned (treated) in this 

 vnmercifull maner?" The said Erie, hearing me' cry, bade his 

 servant Alexander Ritchard put ane serviat (napkin) in my 

 throat, which he obeyed . . . wha then seing that I was in 

 danger of my life, my flesch consumed and brunt to the bones, 

 and that I wald not condescend to thair purpose, I was releivit 

 of that paine : whairthrow I will never be able nor weill in 

 my lifetime.' 



The Privy Council could not refuse to administer justice 

 in such a heinous case, even against such a powerful sub- 

 ject as Cassilis, and he was punished by being ordered to 

 find security for 2000 Scots (about 100 sterling) to 

 keep the peace towards the half-roasted commendator, 

 who, as the chronicler testifies, ' was ewer theirafter onabill 

 of his leggis.' They would have been more than mortal 

 ' leggis ' had it been otherwise. 



Thus the criminal may be held to have got off cheap ; 

 but there was retribution in store, though not for himself 

 (seeing that he died five years later, before events had 

 developed themselves), but for his posterity, who were to 

 see their great house rent by faction and deprived of its 

 despotic sway. Certain powerful lairds of the clan and 



