history of the mackenzies-第24章
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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 out of my way； let me get out of his。） Duncan soon killed a man； and； drawing the body aside； he coolly sat upon it。 Hector Roy； noticing this peculiar proceeding as be was passing by in the heat of the contest； accosted Duncan； and asked him why he was not still engaged with his comrades。 Duncan answered〃Mar a faigh mi ach miabh aon duine cha dean mi ach gniomh aon duine。〃 （If I only get one man's due I shall only do one man's work）。 Hector told him to perform two men's work； and be would get two men's reward。 Duncan returned again to the field of carnage； killed another； pulled his body away； placed it on the top of the first； and sat upon the two。 The same question was again asked； and the answer given： 〃I have killed two men； and earned two men's wages。〃 Hector answered 〃Do your best； and we shall not be reckoning with you。〃 Duncan instantly replied〃Am fear nach biodh ag cunntadh rium cha bhithinn ag cunntadh ris〃（He that would not reckon with me； I would not reckon with him）and rushed into the thickest of the battle； where he mowed down the enemy with his rusty battle…axe like grass； so much so that Lachlan Maclean of Lochbuy （Lachlainn MacThearlaich）； a most redoubtable warrior； placed himself in Duncan's way to check him in his murderous career。 The two met in mortal strife； but； Maclean being a very powerful man； clad in mail； and well versed in arms； Duncan could make no impression upon him but； being lighter and more active than his heavily mailed opponent； he managed to defend himself； watching his opportunity； and retreating backwards until he arrived at a ditch； where his opponent； thinking he had him fixed； made a desperate stroke at him； which Duncan parried； at the same time jumping backwards across the ditch。 Maclean； to catch his enemy； made a furious lunge with his weapon； but； instead of entering Duncan's body； it got fixed in the opposite bank of the ditch。 In withdrawing it； he bent his head forward； when the helmet； rising； exposed the back of his neck； upon which Duncan's battle…axe descended with the velocity of lightning； and with such terrific force as to sever Maclean's head from his body。 This； it is said； was the turning…point of the struggle； for the Macdonalds； seeing the brave leader of their van falling； at once retreated； and gave up all for lost。 The hero was ever afterwards known as 〃Donnchadh Mor na Tuaighe；〃 or Big Duncan of the Axe； arid many a story is told in Kintail and Gairloch of the many other prodigies of valour which he performed in the after contests of the Mackenzies and the Macraes against their common enemies。 〃Such of Macdonald's men as escaped the battle fled together； and as they were going homeward began to spulzie Strathconan； which Mackenzie hearing； followed them with a party； overtakes them at Invercorran； kills shoals of them and the rest fled divers ways。〃
That night； as Mackenzie sat at supper； he missed Duncan Mor； and said to the company〃I am more vexe
