In truth, the character of this great chief was depicted two thousand five hundred years before his birth, and depicted,--such is the power of genius,--in colours which will be fresh as many years after his death.
He was the Ulysses of the Highlands, [329] He held a large territory peopled by a race which reverenced no lord, no king but himself.

For that territory, however, he owed homage to the House of Argyle.

He was bound to assist his feudal superiors in war, and was deeply in debt to them for rent.

This vassalage he had doubtless been early taught to consider as degrading and unjust.

In his minority he had been the ward in chivalry of the politic Marquess, and had been educated at the Castle of Inverary.