Mackenzie received his visitors in the most hospitable and
unsuspecting manner, and supplied them with as much wine and other
viands as they could consume. Four of his men, however, feeling
somewhat suspicious, and fearing the worst, abstained from drinking.
Alexander Bayne of Tulloch, and the remainder of Murdoch's men
partook of the good cheer to excess, and ultimately became so drunk
that they had to retire below deck. Mackenzie, who sat between
Raasay and MacGillechallum Mor, had not the slightest suspicion,
when Macleod, seeing Murdoch alone, jumped up, turned suddenly
round and told him that he must become his prisoner. Mackenzie
instantly started to his feet, in a violent passion, laid hold of
Raasay by the waist, and threw him down, exclaiming, "I would scorn
to be your prisoner." One of Raasay's followers, seeing his young
chief treated thus, stabbed Murdoch through the body with his dirk.
Mackenzie finding himself wounded, stepped back to draw his sword,
and, his foot coming against some obstruction, he stumbled over
it and fell into the sea.
Those on shore observing the row, came out in their small boats
and seeing Mackenzie, who was a dexterous swimmer, manfully making
for Sconsar, on the opposite shore, in Skye, they pelted him with
stones, smashed in his brains and drowned him.
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