MacIans, when Captain Pareira sent him word that the _Florencia_ was
ready to sail, and he should like to have his soldiers returned. To
this MacLean replied that the account between them had not been wholly
squared. There was the matter of payment promised in addition to the
loan of the soldiers. The people of Tobermory and thereabouts had sent
grain and cattle aboard the galleon, and they must have their money
before sailing day.

Captain Pareira promised that every satisfaction should be given before
he left the country, and again requested that his hundred _soldadoes_
be marched back to their ship.

This Lachlan was willing to do, but still suspecting the commander of
the galleon as a wily bird, he detained three of the officers of the
troops as hostages to assure final settlement. Then he sent on board
the _Florencia_ young Donald Glas, son of the MacLean of Morvern, to
collect what was due and adjust the affair. No sooner had he set foot
on deck, than he was disarmed and bundled below by order of Pareira who
considered that two could play at holding that form of collateral known
as hostages.

Now ensued a dead-lock. Lachlan MacLean refused to yield up his brace
of Spanish officers unless the demands of his people were paid in full,
while Captain Pareira kept Donald Glas locked in a cabin and swore to
carry him to sea. The tragedy which followed is told in the traditions
of Mull to this day. When Donald Glas learned that he was kidnapped in
the galleon, he resolved to wreak dreadful revenge for the treachery
dealt his kinsmen. On the morning when the _Florencia_ weighed anchor,
an attendant who had been confined with him was sent on shore and
Donald sent word of his fell intention to the chief of the clan.

Overnight Donald Glas had discovered that only a bulkhead separated his
cabin from the powder magazine of the galleon, and by some means, which
tradition omits to explain, he cut a hole through the planking and laid
a train ready for the match. Just before the _Florencia_ weighed
anchor he was fetched on deck for a moment to take his last sight of
the heathery hills of Mull and Morvern. Then the captive was thrust
back into his cabin, and with her great, gay banners trailing from
aloft, the galleon made sail and began slowly to move away from the
shore of Tobermory Bay.

It was then that Donald Glas, true MacLean was he, fired his train of
powder, and bang! the magazine exploded. The galleon w