said complainant, his kin and friends. Like as lately, about the
end of July last, the said Colin Mackenzie Rory Mackenzie, and
others aforesaid, having violently taken Donald MacMoroch Roy, one
of the said complainant's chief kinsmen, and were not content to put
him to a simple death, but to bait them in his blood, and by a
strange example to satisfy their cruel and unnatural hearts, first
cut off his hands, next his feet, and last his head, and having cast
the same in a "peitpott," exposed and laid out his carcase to be a
prey for dogs and ravenous beasts: Tending by such kind of dealing
to undo as many of the said complainant's friends and servants as
they can apprehend, and to lay waste their lands, "rowmes," and
possessions to the said complainant's heavy hurt and skaith, and
dangerous example of wicked persons to attempt the like, if remedy
be not provided." In consequence of this complaint charges had
gone forth to Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, (1), to have rendered the
said Castle of Strome with the munition and goods therein to the
complainer or his representatives, within twenty-four hours after
being charged, under pain of rebellion, or else to have appeared
and shown cause to the contrary; (2) to have appeared and found
sufficient surety in the Books of the Council for the safety of
the complainer and his dependants in persons and goods, or else
shown cause to the contrary, under the same pain. And now, "the
said Angus Mac Angus compeared personally and the said Colin
Mackenzie of Kintail being oftimes called and not compearing, the
Lords (1) repeat their charge for delivery of the castle within
twenty-four hours, and, failing obedience, order Mackenzie of
Kintail to be denounced rebel and put to the horn and to escheat;
(2) repeat their charge to the said Mackenzie to find sufficient
caution for the safety of the complainer and his dependants in person
and goods, with order that if he fail to do so within fifteen days