One of them, who had been concerned in some act of violence or rapine, had given information against his companions.

He had been bound to a tree and murdered.

The old chief had given the first stab; and scores of dirks had then been plunged into the wretch's body.

[223] By the mountaineers such an act was probably regarded as a legitimate exercise of patriarchal jurisdiction.

To the Master of Stair it seemed that people among whom such things were done and were approved ought to be treated like a pack of wolves, snared by any device, and slaughtered without mercy.