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Although MacRath doth 〃fortunate〃 import； It's he deserves that name whose brave effort Eight hundred men did put to flight With his seven score at Knockfarrel。 ＇Ardintoul MS。＇
In 1499； George； Earl of Huntly； then the King's Lieutenant； granted warrant to Duncan Mackintosh of Mackintosh； John Grant of Freuchie； and other leaders； with three thousand men； to pass against the Clan Mackenzie； 〃the King's rebels；〃 for the slaughter of Harold of Chisholm； dwelling in Strathglass； 〃and for divers other heirschips； slaughters； spuilzies； committed on the King's poor lieges and tenants in the Lordship of Ardmeanoch；〃 ＇Kilravock Papers； p。 170。＇ but Hector Roy and his followers gave a good account of them； and soon defeated and dispersed them。 He seems to have held undisturbed possession until the year 1507； when John and his brother Roderick were on a visit in the Aird； at the house of their uncle； Lord Lovat； when a fire broke out at the castle。 According to the Earl of Cromartie； when the house took fire； no one was found bold enough to approach the burning pile but John； who rushed boldly through the flames and carried away the Lovat charter chest 〃a weight even then thought too much for the strongest man； and that cheist； yett extant； is a load sufficient for two。 His uncle； bothe obleiged by the actione； and glad to sie such strength and boldnes in the young man； desyred （him） to do as much for himself as he haid done for him； and to discover his （own） charter cheist from his uncle； and that he should have all the concurrance which he （Lovat） could give to that effect。〃
Anderson's History of the Family of Fraser ascribes this bold act to Roderick； for which he was 〃considered amply recompensed by the gift of a bonnet and a pair of shoes。〃 It matters little which is the correct version； but it is not unlikely that Lovat's valuable charter chest was saved by one or other of them； and it is by no means improbable that his Lordship's suggestion that they should procure their own charter chest and his offer to aid them in doing so was made and determined to be acted upon on this occasion。
John； who had proved himself most prudent； even in his youth； was satisfied that his uncle Hector； a man of undoubted valour and wisdom； in possession of the estates； and highly popular with the clan； could not be expelled without great difficulty and extreme danger to himself。 Any such attempt would produce feuds and slaughter among his people； with the certain result of making himself personally unpopular with the clan； and his uncle more popular than ever。 He therefore decided upon a more prudent course resolving to strike only at Hector's person； judging that； if his uncle failed； his claims and the personal respect of his followers would fall with him。 To carry out his resolution； he contrived a scheme which proved completely successful。 Having secured an interview with Hector； who then resided at Wester Fairburn； he pleaded that since he had taken his estates from him； and left him in such reduced circumstances； it was not in accordance with his feelings and his ambition for fame to remain any longer in his native country； where he had neither position nor opportunities of distinguishing himself。 He therefore begged that his uncle should give him a galley or birlinn； and as many of the ablest and most determined youths in the country as should voluntarily follow him in his adventures for fame and fortune in a foreign land。 With these he should pass to Ireland； then engaged in war； and 〃there purchase a glorious death or a more plentiful fortune than he was likely to get at home。〃 The idea pleased Hector exceedingly； and he not only gave him his own galley； then lying at Torridon； but furnished him with all the necessary provisions for the voyage； at the same time assuring him that； if he prosecuted his intentions； he should annually transmit him a sufficient portion to keep up his position； until his own personal prowess and fortune should place him above any such necessity whereas； if he otherwise resolved or attempted to molest him in what he called his rights； he would bring sudden and certain ruin upon himself。
Thirty brave and resolute young men joined the supposed adventurer； after having informed them that he would have none except those who would do so of their own free will； from their affection for him； and determination to support him in any emergency； for he well judged that only such were suitable companions in the desperate aims which he had laid out for himself to accomplish。 These he dispatched to the galley then at Torridon； one of the most secluded glens on the West Coast； and distant from any populated place； while he himself remained with his uncle； professedly to arrange the necessary details of his journey； and the transmission of his portion； but really to notice 〃his method and manner of converse。〃 John soon took farewell of Hector； and departed with every appearance of simplicity。 His uncle sent a retinue to convoy him with becoming respect； but principally to assure himself of his departure； and to guard against surprise or design on John's part。 Accompanied by these； he soon arrived at Torridon； where he found his thirty fellow adventurers and the galley awaiting him。 They at once set sail； and with a fair wind made for the Isles； in the direction of； and as if intending to make for； Ireland。
The retinue sent by Hector Roy returned home； and informed their master that they saw John and his companions started before a far wind； with sails set； in the direction of Ireland when Hector exclaimed； referring to Anne of Lovat； 〃We may now sleep without fear of Anne's children。〃
John； sailing down Loch Torridon； and judging that Hector's men had returned home； made for a sheltered and isolated creek； landed in a wood； and dispersed his men with instructions to go by the most private and unfrequented paths in the direction of Alit Corrienarnich； in the braes of Torridon； where he would meet them。 This done； they followed Hector's men； being quite close up to them by the time they reached Fairburn。 John halted at some little distance from Hector's house until about midnight； when； calling his men together； he feelingly addressed them thus：〃Now； my good friends； I perceive that you are indeed affectionate to me； and resolute men； who have freely forsaken your country and relations to share in my not very promising fortune but my design in seeking only such as would voluntarily go along with me was that I might be certain of your affection and resolution； and since you are they whom I ought only to rely upon in my present circumstances and danger； I shall now tell you that I was never so faint…hearted as to quit my inheritance without attempting what is possible for any man in my capacity。 In order to this I feigned this design for Ireland for three reasons； first； to put my uncle in security； whom I have found ever hitherto very circumspect and well guarded； next； to find out a select； faithful number to whom I might trust and thirdly； that in case I fail； and that my uncle shall prevail over my endeavours；