June 20, 1688 Covenanter activists today ambushed a company of soldiers in a bid to free one of their ministers.

The bloody incident took place on a narrow pass through rocky cliffs just outside Cumnock known as the Bello Path.

The troops were transporting the Irish clergyman David Houston to Edinburgh to face trial for preaching at illegal gatherings. The party had spent the night at the Blue Tower Inn in Cumnock before setting out early today for the capital.

The ambushers struck at his escort from all sides and the quiet countryside echoed with the sound of gunfire as each side stood their ground in a fierce gunfight.

A number of soldiers were killed or wounded while the Reverend Houston was seriously injured when his horse took fright at the sound of the guns. The prisoner, whose legs were tethered round the beast"s belly, slipped from the saddle and was unable to free himself when the horse bolted. He suffered serious head injuries from being beaten and dragged on the ground.

It is feared that he will never be the same man again.

The only known injury on the Covenanter side was local farmer John MacGeachan. Reports suggest that he managed to drag himself away from the carnage with a view to reaching his Meikle Auchengibbert home.

It has been reported that soldiers hunting for the ambush party have shot dead an innocent young man near Sorn.

George Wood, 16, was on Tincorn Hill as darkness fell. Without any question, a trooper stationed at Sorn Castle shot the boy. The Killing Times asked the soldier, Trooper John Reid, why he had killed young Wood without any challenge. He replied 'I knew that he was a Whig, and Whigs ought to be shot wherever they are found.' July 28, 1688 Farmer John MacGeachan succumbed to his wounds today.

He had been part of the ambush squad at Bello Path and had managed to escape despite serious injury.

The Killing Times understands that he asked for aid at Stonepark Cottage, which was on the way to his home at Meikle Auchengibbert, but was refused by the tenant who feared punishment by the authorities if he were to offer succour to a wanted man.

MacGeachan cursed the man and prophesised that no crops would grow in his field again.

Through he managed to reach his own home, Macgeachan still found little rest, for as a known outlaw his presence threatened dire reprisals.

A shelter was built of turf and friends and relatives delivered to him every day.

However, he weakened and died today.

He is to be buried on the site of the makeshift shelter.

Editor"s Note: David Houston suffered severe brain injuries following the attack. He was released from prison and returned to Ireland.

George Wood was the last man to be killed during what was known as The Killing Times. The oppression came to an end that year during the Glorious Revolution when King James II (James VII of Scotland) fled the throne. At 16, Wood was also the youngest person to be killed.

MacGeachan"s curse proved potent, for author Dane Love points out in "Scottish Covenanter Stories" that Stonepark Cottage fell into ruins.