of the Clan was hereditary, but no heir was bold enough to step
forward into that position until he had performed some deed of
worth. They were principally herders, their chief stock being the
famous small black cattle of the Highlands. Their wars with each
other were cattle raids. Only in war, however, did the Gael lay
hands on his neighbor's goods. There were no highwaymen and
housebreakers in the Highlands. No Highland mansion, cot, or barn
was ever locked. Theft and the breaking of an oath, sins against
man's honor, were held in such abhorrence that no one guilty of
them could remain among his clansmen in the beloved glens. These
Highlanders were a race of tall, robust men, who lived simply and
frugally and slept on the heath among their flocks in all
weathers, with no other covering from rain and snow than their
plaidies. It is reported of the Laird of Keppoch, who was leading
his clan to war in winter time, that his men were divided as to
the propriety of following him further because he rolled a
snowball to rest his head upon when he lay down. "Now we despair
of victory," they said, "since our leader has become go
effeminate he cannot sleep without a pillow!"*

* MacLean, "An Historical Account of the Settlement of Scotch
High.landers in America."


The "King's glorious victory of Culloden" was followed by a
policy of extermination carried on by the orders and under the
personal direction of the Duke of Cumberland. When King George at
last restrained his son from his orgy of blood, he offered the
Gaels their lives and exile to America on condition of their
taking the full oath of allegiance. The majority accepted his