Chat
|
Daily Search
|
My GenForum
|
Community Standards
|
Terms of Service
|
|
|
Another story dug up from the archives>>>>>
John McComie Mor - Champion of Athole
[Ref: Memoir of the Families of M'COMIE and THOMS, originally M'Intosh and M'Thomas, by William M'COMBIE SMITH, New Edition, c1878, catalogue British 929.241 M135s]
"Redemption to the Earl of Athole - the Champion of Athole." [M'COMIE Mor would add another insult to the Earl of Athole before this story]
....As a matter of course, M'COMIE Mor did not expect that the Earl of Athole would quietly submit to this fresh indignity. An unforeseen event, however, brought the matter to a more friendly termination than could otherwise have been looked for. Shortly after the unsuccessful attempt to carry off M'COMIE Mor to Athole (the previous insult to the Earl), a professional champion swordsman, or bully as he was called, a gigantic Italian, made his appearance at Blair Athole, and as usual challenged the best man the Earl of Athole could produce to fight; and in the event of no one accepting his challenge, or any one accepting it and being beaten, he would claim, as a right, a sum of money, as a sort of tribute earned by his prowess.
The payment of the money was a less source of annoyance to one in the position of the Earl of Athole than the thought that in all the wide district of which he was superior, he could not find a man of sufficient strength and courage to successfully cope with this foreign bravo. And in proportion also to the disgrace of having no man in Athole a match for him, would be the glory to the Earl and his vassals if he could produce an Athole champion able to conquer such a redoubted hero. In the present instance, disgrace instead of honour appeared likely to fall on Athole and Athole men; for a sight of the foreigner, who was of immense size and fierce aspect, together with the notoriety of his extraordinary skill as a swordsman, proved sufficient to deter the strongest and bravest of the Athole men from risking their life and limb in a fight with him.
In this emergency, the Earl at last reflected that M'COMIE Mor, who had recently lowered the prestige of the Athole men as their opponent, was the very man to raise it again as their champion. We can easily understand that at a time when personal prowess was of such account, the Earl's displeasure at the double indignity offered to his immediate retainers was tempered with a felling of satisfaction that he had amongst his vassals a man possessed of such unusual strength, courage, and sagacity. it was evident, also, to a prudent man, that it would be a more satisfactory termination to the present quarrel that M'COMIE Mor should give satisfaction to the Earl's offended dignity by rendering a personal service to him, than that so brave a man should be subdued by mere force of numbers. Accordingly, a trusted retainer was despatched to Finnegand, who was to explain to M'Comie Mor that if he would come to Blair Castle, and there render a personal service to the Earl of an honourable nature, that in that case the Earl would look on this as making full amends for the indignities inflicted on his retainers on their last two visits.
For some time M'Comie Mor was in great doubt as to this intimation being made in good faith, and had a strong suspicion that it was merely a ruse to get him quietly into Athole, where satisfaction would be required of him for the affair of the kain-gatherers, and his outwitting the second expedition. Assured at length that the Earl's invitation was made in good faith, he set out with the messenger, and arrived at Blair Castle. But here a fresh difficulty arose.
On being confronted with the Italian champion, and the purpose for which he had been summoned explained to him, he flatly refused to fight with any man with whom he had no quarrel. At this unlooked-for declaration, the hopes of the Athole men, which had been raised to great height, from the account given by the kain-gatherers of his extraordinary strength and courage, and from his magnificent personal appearance, received a rude fall. In vain the Earl urged and entreated him, in vain some of the Athole men began audibly to hint that the redoubted M'Comie Mor's courage had vanished like their own at the sight of the fierce and stalwart Italian. This latter worthy's behaviour soon brought about the desired result.
On learning that the man who was expected to fight with him refused to do so on the plea that there was no quarrel between them, and therefore no occasion to fight, he at once attributed this to cowardice. and began to indulge in much high-sounding bravado. This having no effect, he next proceeded to personal indignity, and approaching his apparently imperturbable opponent, he with one had lifted his kilt, and with the other - "horresco referens" - bestowed a sounding whack on the astounded chief's posteriors. In an instant, with the peculiarly graceful sweep that always marked the drawing of his sword - a peculiarity which afterwards stood him in good stead on another occasion - his sword was out of its scabbard.
The Italian immediately sprang back, and put himself in position. The Athole men now silent, in breathless suspense watched the two gigantic opponents, for there was that on the face of M'Comie Mor that showed it was to be a battle "à outrance". Nor were the spectators held long in suspense as to the result. A few careful parries, and almost before they could comprehend or believe what they saw, M'Comie Mor's blade, with lightning-like rapidity and extraordinary force, was through the Italian's guard, and his fighting career in this world was for ever ended.
_______________________________
Notify Administrator about this message?
Followups:No followups yet |
| http://genforum.genealogy.com/macthomas/messages/6.html | ||
 |
Link to GenForum Add Forum |
|