Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/355

Rh of military execution against those who should hold out after the end of December. Macdonald went to Fort William the last day of that month, and desired that the oaths might be tendered to him; but the governor of that fortress, being no civil magistrate, refused to administer them, and Macdonald immediately set out for Inveraray, though the ground was covered with snow, and the weather intensely cold. He travelled with such diligence, that the term prescribed by the proclamation was but one day elapsed when he reached the place. Sir Colin Campbell, sheriff of the county, in consideration of Macdonald's disappointment at Fort William, administered the oaths to him and his adherents: then they returned to Glen Coe, in full confidence of being protected by the government to which they had submitted. Breadalbane had grievously misrepresented Macdonald as an incorrigible rebel and ruffian, and declared he had paid no attention to the proclamation. In consequence of such representations, an order was signed to extirpate Macdonald, with his family and dependants; and particular directions were sent to put all the inhabitants of Glen Coe to the sword; and to take no prisoners, that the scene might be the more