Before,
however, they had fully loaded, the alarm having gone through the
districts of Lochalsh and Kintail, some of the natives of those
districts were seen marching in the direction of Lochcarron. The
Macdonalds deemed it prudent to remain no longer, and set out to
sea pursued by a shower of arrows by way of farewell, which,
however, had little effect upon them, as they were already out of
range.
The Kintail men, by the shortest route, now returned to Ellandonnan,
sending twelve of the swiftest of their number across country to
Inverinate, where lay, newly built, a twelve-oared galley, which
had never been to sea, belonging to Gillecriost MacDhonnchaidh, one
of Inverinate's tenants. These heroes made such rapid progress
that they were back at the castle with the boat before many of
their companions arrived from Lochcarron. During the night they
set to work, superintended and encouraged by Lady Mackenzie in
person, to make arrangements to go out and meet the enemy. The
best men were quickly picked. The Lady supplied them with all
the materials and necessaries for the journey within her reach,
handed them the lead and powder with her own hands, and gave them
two small pieces of brass ordnance.
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