About the middle of the sixteenth century, the eldest son of Lamond, of
Cowel, in Argyleshire, was hunting the red deer in Glenfine. At the same
time the only son of Macgregor, of Glenstrae, the chief of that once
powerful clan, was on a similar excursion in the same place, which was
the boundary between the extensive territories of these two great
families. Young Lamond had pierced a prime hart with an arrow; and the
noble animal, galled by the shaft, which stuck in the wound, plunged
into the river, and bent his course into Macgregor’s country. He was
followed by Lamond, who outran all his companions. It unfortunately fell
out, that a hart had been wounded by the young Macgregor at the same
time, among his own hills. The two deer crossed each other in their
flight, and the first that fell was claimed by both the hunters. The
youths, flushed by the ardour of the chase, and totally unknown to each
other, hotly disputed. They were armed, as was the fashion of those
days, and fought, and the young Macgregor fell. Lamond cut his way
through the attendants, but was keenly pursued. Having wonderful
fleetness of foot, he made his way forward; and ignorant of the country
and of the people, and almost exhausted with thirst, hunger, anguish,
and fatigue, rushed into the house of Macgregor of Glenstrae, on whose
mercy he threw himself, telling him that he had slain a man. Macgregor
received him, and had given him refreshment, when the pursuers arrived,
and told the unfortunate man the woful tale--that his son had
fallen--his only child--the last of his ancient race--the hope of his
life--the stay of his age. The old man was at this period left
surrounded by enemies crafty and powerful--he, friendless and alone. The
youth was possessed of every virtue that a father’s heart could wish;
his destroyer was now in his hands; but he had pledged his promise for
his safety, and that pledge must be redeemed. It required all the power
and influence of the aged chief to restrain the fury of his people from
slaying young Lamond at the moment; and even that influence, great as it
was, could only protect him, on an assurance that on the next morning
his life should be solemnly sacrificed for their beloved Gregor.
In the middle of the night, Macgregor led Lamond forth by the hand, and,
aware of his danger, himself accompanied him to the shore of Lochfine,
where he procured a boat, made Lamond enter it, and ordered the boatmen
to convey him safely across the loch into his own country. “I have now
performed my promise,” said the old man, “and henceforth I am your
enemy--beware the revenge of a father for his only son!”
Before this fatal event occurred, the persecution against the
unfortunate Macgregors had commenced, and this sad accident did not
contribute to diminish it. The old laird of Glenstrae struggled hard to
maintain his estate and his independence, but his enemies prevailed
against him. The conduct of young Lamond was grateful and noble. When he
succeeded to the ample possessions of his ancestors, he beseeched old
Macgregor to take refuge under his roof. There the aged chief was
treated as a father, and ended his days.
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