212 A SCOTTISH BLOOD-FEUD 



James summoned the Earl of Cassilis and the laird of 

 Bargany to his presence and 



'gart thame schaik handis; and also the laird of Colzeone in 

 sum missour : bet not with thair hairttis, because thair particu- 

 lar wes not sett doun at the agreanse [agreement].' 



This ceremony was without the slightest effect, as was 

 straightway seen. The Earl of Cassilis, at the request of 

 Culzean, had let a farm to one McEwen, which farm the 

 Master of Cassilis had previously promised to his foster- 

 brother, Patrick Richard. The master sent over to the 

 farm and told the new tenant to clear out, which he, 

 being ' ane prowd cairll,' flatly refused to do, on which the 

 master set out and slew him with his own hand. The 

 earl was not in a posture to avenge this outrage at the 

 moment, being closely besieged in his house of Inch in 

 Wigtonshire by his Galloway vassals, with whom he had 

 fallen at grave issue. However, bitter as was young Bar- 

 gany's personal feud with the earl, he was not going to 

 sit idle while his chief was beset by a parcel of Galloway 

 lairds. He led his men to the rescue, and by skilful 

 diplomacy, backed by a display of force, induced the 

 gentlemen of Galloway to raise the siege. The earl was 

 eloquently grateful, and profuse in promises of the favours 

 he intended to shower upon Bargany when he got back to 

 Ayrshire. Matters having been amicably arranged, 



' my Lord drew on his bwittis [boots] and raid with the Laird to 

 Ardstinchar, being convoyit be the Galloway menne to Glenapp, 

 quhair the Laird of Barganyis frendis and seruandis mett him.' 



He was hospitably entertained that night by Bargany in 

 his house of Ardstinchar; but ten or twelve days after, 

 when the laird called on him to fulfil some of his pro- 



