said, “it was he that did this, and it was as easy for him to take my life as to do so.” When they went outside they saw Mac Crimmon on the other side of a stream, and when his men essayed to ford the stream and seize him, Mac Kenzie threatened to shoot the first who touched the piper, and swore to Mac Crimmon that if he would cross the river he would not be injured. After all the men had been sworn to the same purpose, Mac Crimmon did cross, and in consideration of his nobility in sparing his life during the night, Mac Kenzie took the piper home with him, and by dint of special pleading managed to obtain for him the forgiveness of Lord Kintail. Then Donald _Mór_ returned to his allegiance at Dunvegan, where he remained ever after—a great piper. It was after his day that the Mac Crimmons were universally acknowledged to be the best pipers in Scotland, so much so that no piper was considered perfect unless he had studied for some time under them. Donald _Mór_ Mac Crimmon was succeeded by his son Patrick _Mór_. This Patrick had eight sons, seven of whom died within twelve months. On this great bereavement he composed a tune called _Cumha no Cloinne_, or “The Lament for the Children.” In 1745 Mac Leod’s piper was Donald _Bàn_ Mac Crimmon, the composer of “Mac Crimmon’s Lament.” Mac Leod was opposed to Prince Charlie, and when he was defeated at Inverurie by Lord Louis Gordon, Donald _Bàn_ was taken prisoner. On this occasion a striking mark of respect was paid to Mac Crimmon by his brother pipers in Lord Louis Gordon’s following. The morning after the battle they did not play as usual, and on inquiry it was found that they were silent because Mac Crimmon was a prisoner. He was immediately set at liberty, but was killed shortly after at “The Rout of Moy,” a rather tragic incident in Highland Jacobite History. It was before leaving on the expedition in which he met his death that Donald _Bàn_ composed “Mac Crimmon’s Lament,” under the presentiment that he would never see Dunvegan again. On the night of the Rout of Moy, it was said, a second-sight man saw the body of Mac Crimmon shrunken to the proportions of a child, a sure sign of impending death. Donald _Bàn_ was said to excel most of his race by the beauty and neatness with which he noted on paper the tunes he played and composed. [Illustration: A MAC ARTHUR PIPER ]