A STORY OF THE HILLS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1228, 19 December 1882, Page 2 (Supplement)

A STORY OF THE HILLS.

■Whilst resting during this hard day’s work, Ramsay pointed out the spot where, in a cave, lie buried the bodies of those slain in a fray between the men of Glen Isla, and the men of Glen Shee, in the bow-and-arrow time, as he termed it—rather an indefinite, but certainly a distant, date. In those days the Spital of Glen Shee, Glen Thaitneach, and Glen Beg had numerous inhabitants as shown by the ruins of many houses, then occupied by small crofters, who owned sheep and cattle, which fed on the adjoining hills and moors. Now the only houses in that district can be counted on the fingers of two hands. A feud existed between the men of these glens, caused by a habit of cattle-raising, the Highland caterans having a rooted idea that it was their mission to steal other people's cattle, which naturally led to complications, and finally to a battle on what is now the high road to Braemer. On one side were ranged the men of Glen Isla, and on the other slope the men of Glen Shee, led by a noted chief, Cam-Rhoua by name—otherwise the red man—a diminutive and deformed being, but possessed of much courage and cunning, and a notable marksman, whose arrow seldom missed its aim. As a specimen of his craft and quickness of perception a tale is extant that on one occasion several caterans came in search of him, seeking his life in retaliation for some kinsman slain in one of the neighbouring raids that were common in those parts. Noting their approach he at once assumed the ways and appear* ance of a daft child, which .thoroughly deceived the visitors who had so unceremoniously entered his home; then, taking up their bows one by one, he shot the arrows as far as possible. Still not suspecting he was the man they were in search of, they told him, as he had fired the arrows away, he must go and pick them up. This he did ; and having thus gained a good start, he escaped without difficulty from his enemies. But to resume the account of the battle ; the men being drawn up within 400 yards of each other, the fight began; the caterans and men of Glen Isla, making true aim, the men of Glen Shee fell fast, and showed a disposition to retreat. All this while Camerhona was lying in a secluded spot, having made a vow not to engage in the strife until the sun had passed over him; but, on hearing that the men of Glen Shee were falling fast, and needed support, he caused himself to be carried to a cave over which the sun shone sooner than on his late resting-place. Then calling to the captain of the caterans, “ man for man,” he advanced and laid him low with his {first arrow, shooting all the pick of the enemy, and finally gaining a grand victory for the men of Glen Shee. The bodies of sixty caterans were borne away, and others remained unclaimed, the dead of the victorious side being buried where they fell, in the cave which was pointed out to me, and which may be readily seen by those travelling between the Spital and Braemar, the site being close to the “ Queen’s Well.”— F. F. Whitehurst.