THE LAST OF THE FIFE MEN. 243 



The latter, with his colleague, Spens, was now ready to 

 undertake the re-conquest of Lewis and the capture of 

 Neil Macleod. 



Upon Kenneth Mackenzie who, on i;th November, 

 1609, was created Lord Mackenzie of Kintail, chiefly in 

 acknowledgment of his services in Lewis devolved the 

 duty of rendering active assistance to the colonists in 

 re-conquering the island. This was an unpalatable task 

 to Kintail, for the success of the Lowlanders meant the 

 disappearance of his own hopes of securing Lewis for 

 himself. In the circumstances, he acted a double part, the 

 particulars of which appear to be well authenticated. He 

 sent his brother, Roderick Mackenzie of Coigeach, with 

 400 men to Lewis and then proceeded secretly to wreck 

 the whole enterprise. Besides the levy of men, he seems 

 to have been relied upon to send a supply of provisions 

 across the Minch, to meet the necessities of the colonists 

 and their allies. Accordingly, he despatched a cargo of 

 stores to Lewis, but apprised Neil Macleod of what he was 

 doing, and advised him to intercept the vessel. Neil was 

 not slow to follow this advice. The provision ship was 

 seized, and the colonists perhaps received the sympathy of 

 Kintail. Their necessities would appear to have been 

 pressing, for their leaders, Hay and Spens, were compelled 

 to disband their allies and send them home to the mainland. 

 They themselves made a hurried departure to Fife, for the 

 purpose of procuring reinforcements and provisions. A 

 small garrison was left in Stornoway to keep the colony 

 intact, pending the arrival of help and stores from the South. 



The ever -vigilant Neil Macleod at once seized the 

 opportunity to strike another blow. Collecting his forces, 

 which were under the joint leadership of himself and his 

 nephew, Malcolm, son of Ruari Og, he attacked the 

 colonists, slew many of them, took the rest prisoners, 

 and sent them safely home whence they never returned.* 



* At the present day, there is only one Lewis family whose descent is 

 directly traceable to the Fife Adventurers ; and it is a family of which 

 Stornoway may well be proud. 



