206 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



The husband took a violent dislike to the wife, owing 

 to jealousy or some other cause of displeasure. He there- 

 upon packed the lady off to her friends, repudiating her 

 as his wife. This high-handed proceeding roused the ire 

 of Rory Mor, who sent to Donald Gorm desiring him 

 to take his wife back. The latter not only refused, but 

 promptly divorced her, and married a sister of Mackenzie 

 of Kintail. Macleod thereupon took his revenge by 

 devastating Trotternish. Donald Gorm retaliated by in- 

 vading Harris, which he wasted, killing some of the 

 inhabitants and carrying away much booty. Ruari Mac- 

 leod then instructed his cousin, Donald Glas, to invade 

 North Uist, and carry off from Trinity Church, at Carinish, 

 the goods which the Uist people had placed there for 

 safety. With forty men, Donald Glas proceeded to obey 

 these instructions, but was met by John Mac Ian Mac 

 Sheumais Macdonald, a near relation of Donald Gorm, 

 with twelve men. Although the Macleods so greatly 

 outnumbered the Macdonalds, they were utterly routed, 

 their leader with all his men, except two, being killed. 

 This repulse disheartened Ruari Macleod, who retired from 

 Port-na-Long to Rodil, Harris. Donald Macjames, while 

 on his way to Skye to report the Carinish affair to Donald 

 Gorm, was driven by a storm to take refuge at Rodil, 

 where he and his followers were hospitably entertained 

 by Rory Mor, who was unaware of the identity of his 

 guests. When it became known who they were, the strict 

 laws of Highland hospitality were strained almost to 

 breaking point. They stood the strain, and bloodshed was 

 averted. But some of the Macleods, thirsting for revenge, 

 set the Macdonalds' dormitory on fire during the night. 

 The birds had flown, however, for the Macdonalds had 

 wisely determined not to trust their hosts too implicitly. 



The feud now became more deadly than ever, and the 

 two clans raided and spoiled one another's territories so 

 mercilessly that the inhabitants were reduced to the direst 

 extremities. Food became so scarce that the wretched 

 clansmen were forced to the necessity of sustaining life by 



