156 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



together in Stornoway Castle on terms of cordiality, if not, 

 indeed, of genuine friendship. He strove to pacify the 

 island, and his methods of pacification were sufficiently 

 diplomatic to secure a tacit acknowledgment of his authority. 

 A disturbing factor, however, still existed in the persons of 

 his natural uncles, Donald and Rory Og, and so long as 

 they remained as thorns in his side, John recognised that 

 there would be no permanent peace in Lewis. He there- 

 fore resolved to banish them from the island. Donald and 

 Rory Og, on learning his intention, determined to assassi- 

 nate him. But they were obliged to resort to strategy 

 in order to give them their opportunity. They revealed 

 their plot to " one ill race of people who lived there called 

 Clan Illoyhenan" (Macleans or Maclennans) who entered 

 into their plans. Having concealed their men, who were 

 armed with bows and arrows, at seven different points 

 between the castle and Sandwick, near Stornoway, the con- 

 spirators sent one of their adherents to John MacTorquil, 

 with a message that seven swans had been seen on the loch 

 of Sandwick, and that he was likely to have good sport if 

 he came out. Being a keen sportsman, John eagerly em- 

 braced the opportunity, and left the castle, accompanied 

 only by two men from Kenlochewe. His grandfather, 

 scenting danger, tried, but in vain, to dissuade him, telling 

 him that never before had a swan been seen on that loch, 

 and that he feared there was treachery in the air. This 

 incident reveals old Ruari in a favourable light. It shows 

 that he must have been really attached to his grandson, 

 and that his kindlier feelings were proof against the mani- 

 fest advantages which would accrue to himself, if the heir 

 of Torquil Conanach (and his own jailer) were put out of 

 the way. A wholly " unprincipled villain " would hardly 

 have allowed his feelings of humanity to overcome his baser 

 inclinations. The headstrong young man reached Sand- 

 wick, only to find that his grandfather's forebodings had j 

 been but too accurate. The men concealed at Sandwick 

 shot a flight of arrows at John and his companions, where- 

 upon the latter took to their heels and fled to the castle. 



