wanted a few marks of it, for this they threatened him that if he did
not return with the balance of the rent, he would receive next day at
noon a certain number of lashes. The Mac Neils then told their errand,
and the old man joyfully showed them the most direct and secret way to
the Castle, in which was a well of pure water whose source was unknown.
They took the castle, and went on to Kinloch (Ceannloch), and cleared
Vaslam as well. They then sent word to their father, who came with a
band of followers to their help, and others, native born, whom he had
formerly known, and on whose friendship he could rely, as soon as the
tidings of his return reached them, joined his band. An unacknowledged
son whom he had left, came among the rest to his assistance. This son,
from the circumstance, was known as Mac-an-amharuis (the son of doubt).
When he put forward his claim, Mac Neil replied, “If you are a son
of mine, prove it by clearing Eilean Fiaradh, before morning, of my
enemies.” “Give me the means then,” Mac-an-amharuis answered, “and I
will not leave the blood of one of the race in any part or place (_’s
cha’n fhàg mi fuil fìneig dhiubh ’an àite na’n ionad_).” Mac Neil gave
him his own sword, and that night while the Lochlinners, who had been
carousing heavily, slept soundly, he made his way and got secretly in
to the castle which stands on an inlet before Eoligarry castle, eight
miles from Castle Bay, and killed the inmates where they lay. It is
said that their bodies are still to be seen when a violent storm drifts
the sand hither and thither over the fort (_tigh-dìon_) where they were
slain. From that day Mac Neil had his own rights.
FINLAY GUIVNAC.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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