98 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



fight, known in Highland tradition as the battle of the 

 Bloody Bay, took place. Both sides were composed of 

 skilful seamen descendants largely of those unequalled 

 sea-warriors, the Vikings and both were stimulated by 

 their leadership. The result was a decisive victory for 

 Angus Og, and a crushing defeat for his father's allies. 

 Of the latter, William Macleod of Harris was killed ; the 

 galley of his nephew, with all the Lewismen, was captured, 

 and the heir of Roderick was himself mortally wounded 

 by two arrows, succumbing to his injuries soon afterwards 

 at Dunvegan. 



The outcome of this battle was immediate and con- 

 clusive : the unfortunate John of the Isles was rendered 

 helpless in the contest with his formidable son. The Clan 

 Donald, ready to acknowledge the superiority of personal 

 prowess over less material considerations, acquiesced in 

 the seizure by Angus of his father's possessions, and in his 

 assumption of the chiefship of the clan. 



It is unnecessary to follow much further the fortunes of 

 John of the Isles and his masterful offspring. Misfortune 

 dogged the footsteps of the father to the end. About the 

 time of his final trial of strength with Angus Og, he ap- 

 pears to have turned to England for help. Negotiations 

 were certainly on foot in 1481 to effect an alliance 

 between the English King and his " cousin " of the Isles ; 

 but these came to nothing, although it is evident that 

 his correspondence with England was maintained. In 

 1493, owing doubtless to the discovery of this relation- 

 ship, he forfeited his title of Lord of the Isles, and ii 

 the following year he appeared before the King and mad< 

 his final submission. Retiring to the Abbey of Paisley, 

 he died there in 1498 ; a peaceful end to a stormy life. 



His son did not long survive his victory at Bloody Bay. 

 He was assassinated at Inverness by his own harper, one 

 Art O'Carby or MacCairbre, who MacVurich tells us 

 with uncompromising fidelity cut his throat " with a long 

 knife." According to the Sleat seanachie, the murder was 

 committed at the joint instigation of Mackenzie of Kintail 



