time a message to the Privy Council relating the facts of the case, and explaining all the reasons of his conduct. He also wrote to Colonel Hill, requesting him to take care that his soldiers should not molest the Macdonalds till the pleasure of the Privy Council in the matter was made known.

GEO. GILFILLAN.

(To be Continued.)

THE HIGHLAND CEILIDH.

BY ALASTAIR OG.

[CONTINUED.]

During the relation of the first part of the legend—that which described the atrocious conduct of Allan Dubh and his associates, the members gave evident signs of disapprobation. Norman was constantly interrupted with such exclamations as "Ubh ubh," "Oh na traillean," "Na bruidean," "Na murtairean," and various others of the same complimentary nature ("Oh the servile wretches," "The brutes," "The murderers"), but as the story proceeded, and the tide turned in favour of the revenging Mackenzies, although their own means of retaliation were almost equally inhuman, the tone of the circle gradually changed; and when Norman finished there was a general chorus of satisfaction at the final result, the only expression of regret being the death of the young and brave leader of the Mackenzies, and the escape of Allan Dubh Mac Ranuil from the clutches of his pursuers.

"A capital story and well told" says Ian a Bhuidhe (John Buidhe). "I heard it before somewhere, but my version of it was not near so full as yours, and it differed in various particulars. According to mine there was a chief of Glengarry in the early part of the 17th century whose name was Angus Macdonnel, and who held a small property called Strome, in the centre of the lands belonging to the Mackenzies, in the neighbourhood of Lochalsh. The Mackenzies were most anxious to get rid of their neighbour, and finding it impossible to dispossess him of Strome by lawful means, they, during the night, seized, and, in cold blood, murdered the Master of Glengarry, who was at the time indisposed and unable to escape.

"A few survivors of the Master's adherents returned to Glengarry and informed the old Chief of the death of his eldest son and heir, through the perfidy of the Mackenzies. Angus became frantic with rage and regret, and sat silent and moody, exhibiting only 'the unconquerable will, the study of revenge, immortal hate!' On the following day he sent a messenger to Ardachy to the Gille Maol Dubh, informing him that he had to perform a sacred duty to his Chief and kindred, and that for its effectual and complete discharge one possessing the four following qualifications was indispensably necessary—namely, 'Misneachd, scoltachd, treubhantas, agus maisealachd' (courage, cunning, bravery, and beauty). The Gille Maol Dubh said he knew the very man, and sent to his chief, Ronald Macranuil, whom he guaranteed to possess all the necessary qualifications. Glengarry was much pleased with Ronald's appearance and fierce disposition, and having informed him of his son's violent and untimely death said, 'I want you to revenge it, and your reward shall depend on the extent of your service. Go then, gather your followers, and heedless of place or time destroy all who bear the hateful name of Mackenzie.'

"Macranuil selected the flower of the clan, marched during the night and arrived at the Chapel of Cilliechriost on the Sabbath morning, where they massacred the unsuspecting inmates as described in your version of the legend far more graphically than in mine, but they are on all fours, regarding the facts and incidents except that in mine, the Mackenzies overtook and routed the Macdonalds at Lon na fola or the 'Bog of Blood,' near Mealfuarvonie, and that it was at Ault a Ghiuthais, across a chasm four hundred feet high, with a fearful and foaming cataract beneath, that Lundi made his celebrated leap, and not in Ault-Sigh as in yours. I am, however, disposed to think your version is the most correct of the two."

We shall now give the following poem composed by Andrew Fraser of Inverness, and inscribed to Sir Kenneth S. Mackenzie, Baronet of Gairloch, during his minority, to whom we are indebted for the manuscript. It corroborates Norman's version of the Raid of Cilliechriost in almost every particular, and has considerable merit of its own as an original composition:—

THE RAID OF MACRANUIL—BURNING OF CILLIECHRIOST.

Most respectfully inscribed to the Heir of Gairloch, &c., &c.