commands; but I humbly beg leave, in name of these gentlemen, to give the word of command for this one time.  It is the voice of your council, and their orders are, that you do not engage personally.  Your Lordship’s business is to have an eye on all parts, and to issue out your commands as you shall think proper; it is ours to execute them with promptitude and courage.  On your Lordship depends the fate, not only of this little brave army, but also of our king and country.  If your Lordship deny us this reasonable demand, for my own part I declare, that neither I, nor any I am concerned in, shall draw a sword on this important occasion, whatever construction shall be put upon the matter.’

“Locheill was seconded in this by the whole council; but Dundee begged leave to be heard in his turn.  ‘Gentlemen,’ said he, ’as I am absolutely convinced, and have had repeated proofs, of your zeal for the king’s service, and of your affection to me as his general and your friend, so I am fully sensible that my engaging personally this day may be of some loss if I shall chance to be killed.  But I beg leave of you, however, to allow me to give one shear-darg (that is, one harvest-day’s work) to the king, my master, that I may have an opportunity of convincing the brave clans, that I can hazard my life in that service as freely as the meanest of them.  Ye know their temper, gentlemen; and if they do not think I have personal courage enough, they will not esteem me hereafter, nor obey my commands with cheerfulness.  Allow me this single favour, and I here promise, upon my honour, never again to risk my person while I have that of commanding you.’

“The council, finding him inflexible, broke up, and the army marched directly towards the Pass of Killiecrankie.”

Those who have visited that romantic spot need not be reminded of its peculiar features, for these, once seen, must dwell for ever in the memory.  The lower part of the Pass is a stupendous mountain-chasm, scooped out by the waters of the Garry, which here descend in a succession of roaring cataracts and pools.  The old road, which ran almost parallel to the river and close upon its edge, was extremely narrow, and wound its way beneath a wall of enormous crags, surmounted by a natural forest of birch, oak, and pine.  An army cooped up in that gloomy ravine would have as little chance of escape from the onset of an enterprising partisan corps, as had the Bavarian troops when attacked by the Tyrolese in the steep defiles of the Inn.  General Mackay, however, had made his arrangements with consummate tact and skill, and had calculated his time so well, that he was enabled to clear the Pass before the Highlanders could reach it from the other side.  Advancing upwards, the passage becomes gradually broader, until, just below the House of Urrard, there is a considerable width of meadow-land.  It was here that Mackay took up his position, and arrayed his troops, on observing that the heights above were occupied by the army of Dundee.