se days quietly resigned; Maclean,
therefore, went with an armed force to seize his new possessions, and, I
know not for what reason, took his wife with him. The Camerons rose in
defence of their Chief, and a battle was fought at the head of Loch Ness,
near the place where Fort Augustus now stands, in which Lochiel obtained
the victory, and Maclean, with his followers, was defeated and destroyed.

The lady fell into the hands of the conquerours, and being found pregnant
was placed in the custody of Maclonich, one of a tribe or family branched
from Cameron, with orders, if she brought a boy, to destroy him, if a
girl, to spare her.

Maclonich's wife, who was with child likewise, had a girl about the same
time at which lady Maclean brought a boy, and Maclonich with more
generosity to his captive, than fidelity to his trust, contrived that the
children should be changed.

Maclean being thus preserved from death, in time recovered his original
patrimony; and in gratitude to his friend, made his castle a place of
refuge to any of the clan that should think himself in danger; and, as a
proof of reciprocal confidence, Maclean took upon himself and his
posterity the care of educating the heir of Maclonich.

This story, like all other traditions of the Highlands, is variously
related, but though some circumstances are uncertain, the principal fact
is true. Maclean undoubtedly owed his preservation to Maclonich; for the
treaty between the two families has been strictly observed: it did not
sink into disuse and oblivion, but continued in its full force while the
chieftains retained their power. I have read a demand of protection,
made not more than thirty-seven years ago, for one of the Maclonichs,
named Ewen Cameron, who had been accessory to the death of Macmartin, and
had been banished by Lochiel, his lord, for a certain term; at the
expiration of which he returned married from France, but the Macmartins,
not satisfied with the punishment, when he attempted to settle, still
threatened him with vengeance. He therefore asked, and obtained shelter
in the Isle of Col.

The power of protection subsists no longer, but what the law permits is
yet continued, and Maclean of Col now educates the heir of Maclonich.

There still remains in the Islands, though it is passing fast away, the
custom of fosterage. A Laird, a man of wealth and eminence, sends his
child, either male or female, to a tacksman, or tenant, to be fostered.
I