History Of The Mackenzies [81]
his family and friends for better security to the Island of Moy. Huntly, having determined to crush him, came to Inverness and prepared a fleet of boats with which to besiege the island. These preparations having been completed, and the boats ready to be drawn across the hills from Inverness to Moy, Mackenzie, who had been advised of Huntly's intentions, despatched a messenger--John Mackenzie of Kinnock--to Inverness, to ask his Lordship to be as favourable as possible to his sister, Mackintosh of Mackintosh's wife, and to treat her as a gentlewoman ought to be treated when he came to Moy, and that he (Colin) would consider it as an act of personal courtesy to himself. The messenger delivered his message, to which Huntly replied, that if it were his good fortune, as he doubted not it would be, to apprehend her husband and her, "she would be the worst used lady in the North; that she was an ill instrument against his cause, and therefore he would cut her tail above her houghs." "Well, then," answered Kinnock, "he (Kintail) bade me tell your Lordship if that were your answer, that perhaps he or his would be there to have a better care of her." "I do not value his being there more than herself" Huntly replied, "and tell him so much from me." The messenger departed, when some of Huntly's principal officers who heard the conversation remonstrated with his Lordship for sending the Mackenzie chief so uncivil an answer, as he might have cause to regret it if that gentleman took it amiss. Kinnock on his arrival at Brahan, told his master what had occurred, and delivered Huntly's rude message. Colin, who was at the time in delicate health, sent for his brother, Rory Mor of Redcastle, and sent him next day across the ferry of Ardersier with a force of four hundred warriors. These he marched straight through the hills; and just as Huntly, on his way from Inverness, was coming in sight, on the west of Moy, Rory and his followers were marching along the face of the hill on the east side of the Island, when his Lordship, perceiving such a large force, asked his officers who they could be. One of them, present during the interview with Mackenzie's messenger on the previous day, answered, "Yonder is the effect of your answer to Mackenzie." " I wonder," replied Huntly, "how he could have so many men ready almost in an instant." The officer replied, "Their leader is so active and fortunate that his men will flock to him from all parts on a moment's notice when he has any ado. And before you gain Mackintosh or his lady you will lose more than he is worth, since now, as it seems, her friends take part in the quarrel;" whereupon the Earl retired with his forces to Inverness, "so that it seemed fitter to Huntly to agree their differs friendly than prosecute the laws further against Mackintosh."
There is a complaint to the Privy Council by Christian Scrymgeour, relict of the late Alexander, Bishop of Ross, dated 24th January, 1578-9, in which it is stated that Colin not only stopped and debarred her late spouse from having fuel and "elding" to his dwelling house in the Chanonry of Ross, where he made his residence last summer, but stopped him also from victuals to his house, using such unhuman and cruel dealings against him that he fell sick and never recovered "till he departed this life." During the illness of the bishop in December preceding, Colin and others "of his special sending" enclosed the house of the Chanonry and debarred the complainer and her husband of meat and drink and all other relief of company or comfort of neighbours and friends, and how soon he had intelligence of the bishop's approaching his death he laid ambushes of armed men within the town of Chanonry and in the neighbourhood and apprehended several of the bishop's and dean's servants, whom he carried "immediately to the said Colin's house of the Redcastle," and there detained them for twenty-four hours. Further, on the 22nd of September preceding, the bishop being at the extreme point of death, Colin with an armed
There is a complaint to the Privy Council by Christian Scrymgeour, relict of the late Alexander, Bishop of Ross, dated 24th January, 1578-9, in which it is stated that Colin not only stopped and debarred her late spouse from having fuel and "elding" to his dwelling house in the Chanonry of Ross, where he made his residence last summer, but stopped him also from victuals to his house, using such unhuman and cruel dealings against him that he fell sick and never recovered "till he departed this life." During the illness of the bishop in December preceding, Colin and others "of his special sending" enclosed the house of the Chanonry and debarred the complainer and her husband of meat and drink and all other relief of company or comfort of neighbours and friends, and how soon he had intelligence of the bishop's approaching his death he laid ambushes of armed men within the town of Chanonry and in the neighbourhood and apprehended several of the bishop's and dean's servants, whom he carried "immediately to the said Colin's house of the Redcastle," and there detained them for twenty-four hours. Further, on the 22nd of September preceding, the bishop being at the extreme point of death, Colin with an armed