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ent had at least three times that number； but he had the advantage in another respect inasmuch as he had sufficient provisions for a much longer period than Macdonald could possibly procure for his larger force； the country people having driven their cattle and all the provender that might be of service to the enemy out of his reach。 About mid…day the Islesmen were drawn up on the moor； about a quarter of a mile distant from the position occupied by the Mackenzies； the opposing forces being only separated from each other by a peat moss； full of deep pits and deceitful bogs。 Kenneth； fearing a siege； had shortly before this prevailed upon his aged father to retire to the Raven's Rock； above Strathpeffer； to which place； strong and easily defended； he resolved to follow him in case he were compelled to retreat before the numerically superior force of his enemy。 This the venerable Alexander did； recommending his son to the assistance and protection of a Higher Power； at the same time assuring him of success； notwithstanding the far more numerous numbers of his adversary。
By the nature of the ground； Kenneth perceived that Macdonald could not bring all his forces to the attack at once； and he accordingly resolved to maintain his ground and try the effects of a stratagem which he correctly calculated would mislead his opponent and place him at a serious disadvantage。 He acquainted his younger brother； Duncan； with his resolution and plans； and sent him off； before the struggle commenced； with a body of archers to be placed in ambush； while he determined to cross the peat…bog himself and attack Macdonald in front with the main body； intending to retreat as soon as his adversary returned the attack； and thus entice the Islesmen to pursue him。 He informed Duncan of his own intention to retreat and commanded him to be in readiness with his archers to charge the enemy whenever they got fairly into the moss and entangled among the pits and bogs。
Having made these preliminary arrangements； he boldly advanced to meet the foe； leading his resolute band in the direction of the intervening moss。 Macdonald； seeing him； cried in derision to Gillespic to see 〃Mackenzie's impudent madness； daring thus to face him at such disadvantage。〃 Gillespic； being a more experienced leader than the youthful and impetuous Alexander； said that 〃such extraordinary boldness should be met by more extraordinary wariness in us； lest we fall into unexpected inconvenience。〃 Macdonald； in a towering passion； replied to this wise counsel〃Go you also and join with them； and it will not need our care nor move the least fear in my followers； both of you will not be a breakfast to me and mine。〃 Meanwhile Mackenzie advanced a little beyond the moss； avoiding； from his intimate knowledge of it； all the dangerous pits and bogs； when Maclean of Lochbuy； who led the van of the enemy's army； advanced and charged him with great fury。 Mackenzie； according to his pre…arranged plan； at once retreated； but in so masterly a manner that； in doing so； he inflicted as much damage on the enemy as he received。 The Islesmen speedily got entangled in the moss； and Duncan Mackenzie observing this； rushed forth from his ambush and furiously attacked them in flank and rear； killing most of those who had entered the bog。 He then turned his attention to the main body of the Islesmen； who were quite unprepared for so sudden an onslaught。 Kenneth； setting this； charged with his main body； who were all well instructed in their leader's design； and； before the enemy were able to form in order of battle； he fell on their right flank with such impetuosity and did such execution among them that they were compelled to fall back in confusion before the splendid onset of the small force which they had so recently sneered at and despised。 Gillespic； stung by Alexander Macdonald's taunt before the engagement began； to prove to him that 〃though he was wary in council he was not fearful in action；〃 sought out Kenneth Mackenzie； that he might engage him in single combat； and followed by some of his bravest followers he； with signal valour； did great execution among the Mackenzies in course of his approach to Kenneth； who was in the hottest of the fight； and who； seeing Gillespic coming in his direction； advanced to meet him； killing； wounding； or scattering any of the Macdonalds that came in his way。 He made a signal to Gillespic to advance and meet him hand…to…hand； but； finding him hesitating； Kenneth； who far exceeded him in strength while he equalled him in courage； would brook no tedious debate but pressed on with fearful eagerness； at one blow cut off Gillespic's arm arid passed very far into his body so that he fell down dead on the spot。
At this moment Kenneth noticed his standard…bearer close by； without his colours； and fighting desperately to his own hand。 He turned round to him； and angrily asked what had become of his colours； when he was coolly answered〃 I left Macdonald's standard…bearer； quite unashamed of himself； and without the slightest concern for those of his own chief； carefully guarding mine。〃 Kenneth naturally demanded an explanation of such an extraordinary state of matters； when the man informed him that he had met Macdonald's standard…bearer in the conflict； and had been fortunate enough to slay him； that he had thrust the staff of his own standard through his opponent's body and as there appeared to be some good work to do among the enemy； he had left some of his companions to guard the standard； and devoted himself to do what little he could to aid his master； and protect him from his adversaries。 Maclean of Lochbuy （Lachlainn MacThearlaich） was killed by 〃Duncan mor na Tuaighe；〃 Mackenzie's 〃great scallag；〃 of whom we have the following curious account：
Shortly before the battle； a raw； ungainly； but powerful looking youth from Kintail was seen staring about； as the Mackenzies were starting to meet the enemy； in an apparently idiotic manner； as if looking for something。 He ultimately came across an old rusty battle…axe； of great size； and； setting off after the others； he arrived at the scene of strife just as the combatants were closing with each other。 Duncan Macrae （for such was his name）； from his stupid and ungainly appearance； was taken little notice of； and was wandering about in an aimless； vacant； half…idiotic manner。 Hector Roy； Alexander's third son； and progenitor of the Gairloch Mackenzies； observing him； asked why he was not taking part in the fight； and supporting his chief and clan。 Duncan replied〃Mar a faigh mi miabh duine； cha dean mi gniomh duine。〃 （Unless I get a man's esteem； I shall not perform a man's work。） This was in reference to his not having been provided with a proper weapon。 Hector answered him〃Deansa gniomh duine ‘s gheibh thu miabh duine。〃 （Perform a man's work and you will get a man's esteem。） Duncan at once rushed into the strife； exclaiming〃Buille mhor bho chul mo laimhe； ‘s ceum leatha； am fear nach teich rombam； teicheam roimhe。〃 （A heavy stroke from the back of my hand ＇arm＇ and a step to ＇enforce＇ it He who does not get