Page:Gallant exploits of Lord Dundee.pdf/19

Rh retreat without the fear of pursuit. M'Kay having observed the position of his enemy, formed the troops which advanced foremost into the open field, into a he of three men deep; and lengthened the line along e field, as more troops arrived successively front the mouth of the pass, partly with a view to outflank Dundee, whose line he saw was short, and partly to prevent surprise, by making all the ground known to is army. He continued in this position two hours, consider what to do, and what to expect; and in he mean time, the two armies continued looking to each other. At the end of that time, M‘Kay, suspecting Dundee's intention to take advantage of the sight, and afraid to encamp in a place surrounded with enemies, used various means to provoke the highlanders to an engagement, but in vain. But Dundee, observing that by the position of the two armies his own might be outflanked, and so be defeated even whilst it was defeating, took advantage of his situation to make what motions he pleased without their being known: He detached his clans into separate bodies; remove them to the right and to the left, but in thick order, leaving thus his centre weak; and, half an hour before sunset, rushed down from his station, and began the attack, by columns, upon the wings of the enemy, with a view that, whether his own centre was broken, or his wings broke those of his opponents, the battle might equally become irregular, and be decided hard to hand, not by the regularity of musquetry. Montrose carried the battle of Allderne by the very same disposition: All Dundee's views succeeded; his thick columns pierced easily through the thin files of the regiments, pressed on the sides these who stood, turning round, met in front those who were giving way, and almost in an