Dundee had now reached Lochaber, where he was cordially welcomed by Lochiel, and lodged in a building close to the chief’s own house, a rude structure of pine-wood, but in his men’s eyes a magnificent palace.  The clans had proved true to their tryst.  Every Cameron who could wield a broadsword was there.  From the wild peaks of Corryarrick and Glen Garry, from the dark passes of Glencoe and the storm-beaten islands of the western seas, the men of Macdonald came trooping in.  Sir John of Duart brought a strong gathering of Macleans from Mull, promising that more of the name were on the road.  Young Stewart of Appin had led his little band from the shores of Loch Finnhe.  The Macnaghtens were there from the very heart of the great enemy’s country, where the hated towers of Inverary cast their shadow on the waters of Loch Fyne.  Fraser of Foyers and Grant of Urquhart, disregarding the action of their respective chiefs, each brought a small following of his own vassals.

It is impossible to calculate the exact force which, at any time during his short campaign, Dundee had at his disposal.  But the number of claymores which this first muster brought to Lochaber cannot have been less than two thousand.  Besides these, there was his little body of cavalry, some fifty sabres in all, partly composed of his own troopers, and partly of Dunfermline’s followers.  That nobleman and Lord Dunkeld were of the party.  Dundee’s own brother, too, seems to have been with him, and a member of the Duntroon branch of the Grahams.  Certain gentlemen from the Lowlands had also joined him:  Sir Alexander James of Coxtone, Sir Archibald Kennedy of Cullean, Hallyburton of Pitcur, Murray of Abercairny, and others.

Still there was no sign from Ireland, and Dundee hesitated to take the field against Mackay with such capricious and irregular allies.  He did not doubt the courage of his Highlanders, but he had grave doubts of their obedience.  That they would fight bravely when it was their cue to fight, he knew well; but he was much less confident that they would take their cue from him.  He had at first conceived the idea of putting them through some course of military training, but Lochiel urged so many and such weighty reasons against it that he gave up the plan.  “There is not time,” said the sagacious old chief, “for our men to learn your method of warfare.  They would merely unlearn their own.  This is one which must seem strange to your notions of war; but it is one which they thoroughly understand, and which makes them, when led by such a general as you, a match for the most practised veterans.  Think of what they did under Montrose, and be sure that they will show the same courage and win as great victories under you.”  It, therefore, became more than ever necessary that the promised succours should be no longer delayed.  Some regular troops, however few, would serve both as a rallying-point and as an example to the Highlanders.  And, indeed, it had been only