Donald, the only son of Alexander, being an infant, was, at the death of his father, carried away to Lochshiel side, in Moidart, to a smith’s family, commonly known by the name of ‘An Gothan Muidartsich.’ The smith was a descendant of the Clanronald family, and had a tack of both sides of Lochshiel, which, together with his trade, supported his family. His work principally consisted in the making of arms, hence the bye-word, when a warrior met with a sword that pleased him, ‘N’na claimbh Mudairstach than seodh.’ The smith, notwithstanding his mechanical employment, was considered a person in good circumstances; and it being customary at that age for the Highland chiefs to send their male family, in disguise, to farmers to rear them in hard hood and fatigue, a number of the neighbouring gentry sent their sons, ‘Air mhachaladh,’ to the smith to bring them up till the age of maturity. The smith would have none except the heirs of property. The peculiar family circumstances under which Donald was left to his protection, his life being in danger, rendered the smith more careful of him. The kindness thus shown by his supposed father, drew the attachment of the child towards him. The smith at last got fonder of him than any of his own family, and frequently brought him to the smithy to assist him in making swords, axes, and such other warlike instruments as were used in those times. As Donald grew up, his strength and intrepidity increased with his years. He was reckoned a good swimmer, and by diving, several times caught salmon in ‘Linidh Bhlathain,’ a pool immediately below the smith’s house, in the water of Shiel. On one occasion, he came up with one in each hand, and one in his teeth. One day, the smith having a piece of work to execute, and no other assistance being at hand, called upon Donald to aid him. The article he was engaged with required a man to hold it on the study, and two men, with hammers used by both hands, to beat it down. Donald seized one of these large hammers in each hand, and beat it down with great ease. The smith, admiring his strength and activity, could no longer contain himself: and after consulting his wife, sent for ‘Mhac Mhic Allen,’ the uncle of Donald, to reveal the secret. On the arrival of the uncle, the smith told him he wanted to show him what one of his sons, who was only eighteen years of age, could do. They went to the smithy, and Donald, in order to please his supposed chief, exerted himself in beating on the study with the two large hammers. They afterwards proceeded to the pool, the smith at the same time taking a sword with him, and telling Donald that he need not come ashore unless he brought a salmon in each hand. Donald dived into the water, and staying an unusual time, the smith drew nearer ‘Mhac Mhic Allen,’ and, unsheathing his sword in a great fury, the young man came out with a salmon in each hand.