As soon as it was known that Mackay was at the mouth of the pass, Dundee called a council of war.  Three courses, he told his officers, were before them:  to harass Mackay’s advance with frequent skirmishes, avoiding a general engagement till the reinforcements a few days would certainly bring had made the numbers more equal:  to attack him in the pass; or to wait till he had reached the level ground above it.  His own officers, and the Lowland gentlemen generally, were in favour of the first plan.  Some of the chiefs were in favour of the second.  Dundee listened courteously to all, and then turned to the old chief of the Camerons who had not yet spoken.  What, he asked, did Lochiel advise?  Lochiel had no doubt.  They must fight and fight at once, were the enemy three to one.  Their men were in heart:  they would have all the advantage of the ground:  let Mackay get fairly through the pass that the Highlanders might see their foes, and then charge home.  He had no fear for the result; but he would answer for nothing were the claymores to be kept back now the Saxons were fairly at their feet.

Those who watched Dundee saw his eye brighten.  He answered that he agreed with every word Lochiel had spoken.  Delay would bring reinforcements to Mackay as well as to them, and Mackay’s reinforcements would almost certainly include more cavalry.  To fight them in the pass was useless.  In that narrow way the weight of the Highland onset would be lost.  The claymores would not have room for their work, and half the column would escape.  They must fight on open ground and on fair terms, as Montrose would have fought.[97]

There was no more opposition.  The word for battle went through the clans, and was hailed with universal delight.  Then Lochiel spoke again.  He had always, he said, promised implicit obedience to Dundee, and he had kept his promise; but for once he should command.  “It is the voice of your Council,” he went on, “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 you depends the fate not only of this little brave army, but also of our King and country.”  He finished by threatening that neither he nor any of his clan should draw sword that day unless his request were granted.  Dundee answered that he knew his life to be at that moment of some importance, but he could not on that day of all days refuse to hazard it.  The Highlanders would never again obey in council a general whom they thought afraid to lead them in war.  Hereafter he would do as Lochiel advised, but he must charge at the head of his men in their first battle.  “Give me,” he concluded, “one Shear-Darg (harvest-day’s work) for the King, my master, that I may show the brave clans that I can hazard my life in that service as freely as the meanest of them."[98]