THE LAST OF THE SIOL TORQUIL. 261 



of Lord Kintail, for any further expenses of Tormocl. 

 Three months after Tormocl was set at liberty, Colin, 

 Lord Kintail, was served heir to his father in the posses- 

 sion of Lewis (23rd May, 1615). 



That Ruari, Neil's son, broke his word and returned to his 

 native island, is shown by the fact that his name appears 

 among a number of disobedient Lewismen, who created 

 fresh troubles in the following year. The leader of this 

 rising was Malcolm, son of Ruari Og, and associated with 

 him were Ruari and Donald, Neil's sons, the latter of 

 whom had, in 1613, undertaken to leave the kingdom and 

 never return, or find caution for his good behaviour in the 

 future, under pain of death. A commission dated 28th 

 August, 1616, renewing the powers granted in the former 

 commissions, was delivered to the Tutor and his colleagues 

 to reduce Lewis to obedience. The expiration of the 

 Tutor's previous authority had, it appears, given fresh 

 courage to the Macleods and their allies in the island, and 

 encouraged them to break anew into open insurrection, 

 which the Mackenzies were now called upon to quell. 

 The terror of the Tutor's name was sufficient to nip the 

 rising in the bud, but Malcolm Macleod managed to effect 

 his escape. 



Next to Neil Macleod, Malcolm MacRuari Og was the 

 most remarkable of the Siol Torquil of this period. He 

 had an adventurous career. Chased by the Mackenzies 

 out of Lewis, he joined the Macdonalds of Dunyveg in 

 their unsuccessful rebellion. Subsequently, he associated 

 himself with Coll MacGillespic (alias Coll Keitach, or the 

 left-handed, father of " Colkitto," the famous lieutenant 

 of Montrose) and others of the Clan Donald in the 

 piratical life upon which they embarked. In the year 

 1615, these marauders were the terror of the West High- 

 lands and Isles. A commission of fire and sword which 

 was issued against them broke up the confederacy, but 

 Malcolm evaded capture, and although a reward of three 

 thousand merks was placed upon his head, he escaped to 

 the Antrim estate of Sir James Macdonald. Returning 



