History of the Clan Donald, the Families of MacDonald, McDonald and McDonnell (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ...the hostage left behind at Duart Castle had been killed by the MacLeans. Under the impression that it was true, Coll, the brother of the hostage and of Angus MacDonald, took a signal vengeance on the unfortunate prisoners in his hands, two of whom were executed every day, until at last Lachlan Mor alone survived. His life was saved on account of an accident that happened to Angus MacDonald, as he was mounting his horse to witness Lachlan's execution. Information of the feud being sent to King James VI, he immediately dispatched a herald demanding that Lachlan should be set at liberty; but the herald was unable to procure shipping for Isla. MacDonald at length released him, on his delivering into the hands of Angus his eldest son Hector MacLean and seven other hostages. Soon after Angus went on a visit to Ireland, when MacLean, dreaming only of vengeance, hurried to Isla and laid waste a great portion of that Island. When Angus returned from Ireland he invaded the Isles of Mull and Tiree, and "killed and chased the Clan Lean at his pleasure, and so revenged himself fully of the injuries done to him and his tribe." MacLean retaliated by an inroad into Kintyre, and so they continued to "vex one another with slaughter and outrages." Lachlan MacLean obtained the return of his son and the other hostages under the following circumstances: John MacIain, of the Clan Donald, had been a suitor for the hand of Lachlan's mother, the daughter of the Earl of Argyll, and was, in 1588, invited to Mull, with a view of the proposed aliiance; and to gain him over to the MacLean side. MacIain accepted the invitation, but no persuasion could induce him to join against his own clan, the MacDonalds. Furious at his refusal, Lachlan, on the marriage night, caused...