Page:Gallant exploits of Lord Dundee.pdf/13

Rh out his throat to the mean time; his attendant had been engaged with mother. Sir Ewan, ignorant of this, reproached him for not having assisted him in his danger. While he was doing so, the attendant, perceiving a musket levelled at Sir Ewan, stepped before him, and received the shot, saving as he fell, "You shall never reproach me more. The highlanders falling in with the English baggage; gave over the pursuit, and betook themselves to plundering! By this accidents most of M'Kays army got safely through the pass; yet not a above 200 of them arrived as Stirling in a body with their general. In the battle, 2000 were killed, and 500 taken prisoners. Many of the fugitives were also killed or taken prisoners by the Athole men whom Lord Dundee had the day before ordered to be in readines at the south end of the pass the rest dispersed. M'Kay, not daring to return through the pass, was saved by taking his way through the mountains to the west of it. Having stopped upon the first height that commanded the prospect of the field and the pass, he looked back, and, when he saw no pursuit, said to those around him that he was sure the enemy had lost their general. The express which was sent to Edinburgh from the field or battle with an account of the defeat; was detained by accident a day upon the road. When this circumstance was related to King William, he said, "The Dundee must be dead for otherwise he would have been at Edinburgh before the express." The highlanders, according to the custom of their country, raised a great stone upon the spot on which Dundee fell where it remains to this day.

A letter was found in Dundee's pocket from Lord Mellfort, then the late King's secretary of state in