of Fernaig - who had married Sir Dugald Mackenzie's widow - he made
another raid upon it, with fifty birlinns or large boats full of
his followers, with the intention of surprising the small garrison,
and taking the castle by storm. Its gallant defenders consisted at
the time of the governor, his watchman, and Duncan MacGillechriost
Mac Fhionnladh Mhic Rath, a nephew of Maolmuire killed in the
last incursion of the Island chief. The advance of the boats was,
however, noticed in time by the sentinel or watchman, who at once
gave the alarm to the country people, but they arrived too late
to prevent the enemy from landing. Duncan MacGillechriost was
on the mainland at the time; but flying back with all speed he
arrived at the postern of the stronghold in time to kill several
of the Islesmen in the act of landing; and, entering the castle,
he found no one there but the governor and watchman; almost
immediately after, Donald Gorm Mor furiously attacked the gate,
but without success, the brave trio having strongly secured it by
a second barrier of iron within a few steps of the outer defences.
Unable to procure access the Islesmen were driven to the expedient
of shooting their arrows through the embrazures, and in this way
they succeeded in killing the governor.

Duncan now found himself sole defender of the castle except the
watchman; and worse still his ammunition was reduced to a single
barbed arrow, which he determined to husband until an opportunity
occurred by which he could make good use of it. Macdonald at this
stage ordered his boats round to the point of the Airds, and was
personally reconnoitring with the view of discovering the weakest
part of the wall for effecting a breach. Duncan considered this
a favourable opportunity, and aiming his arrow at Donald Gorm,
it struck him and penetrated his foot through the master vein.