The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-02

herds fled from the hills. The ancient pi- broch: we come through the snowdrift to drive the preyr' resounded through the grim, silent mountain places.
 The Highlanders. accustomed to couches of snow and pillows of ice, had plunder and revenge to lure them on. Storm, sleet snow all blocked the terrific passes, but in vain. The army gained the sum nit and rich Argyleshire lay before them.
 They rushed down on the devoted val leys with fury and eagerness that had lost nothing by the hazards of the way. Montrose dividing his army into three forces, penetrated Argyle's country from three different points, ravaging, burning and staying.
 Argyle. barely escaping Dalgetty s horsemen by hurried flight, appealed to Edinburgh, and succeeded in having a good force dispatched to him under Gen eral Baillie and Sir John Urrie. He managed to gather his own numerous forces, and established himself at In- verlochy, conferring the principal com- mand on Sir Duncan Campbell of Ar denvohr.
 On the morning of February 2, 1646, the army of the Earl of Montrose fell on the clansmen of Argyle. This was a battle, not between Highlander and Lowlander, but between Highlanders on both sides. The strife was desperate accordingly. Both sides discontinued the use of mus ketoons at an early stage and closed for their favorite hand-to-hand encounter Axes, swords and spears clashed every where. The wild shrieks of the men mingled with the screams of the flies. Soon cloud of steam rose into the frosty air and hung over the fighters like the vapor from a caldron.
 For a long time the hosts hung grimly to each other, with no advantage to either and wounds and death plentiful for both Then suddenly there came the thunder of rushing horses shaking the earth Dal- getty's great form sheathed in impenetra- ble armor, burst on the view of the startled clansmen of Argyle. Behind him drove the other riders of his troop, close ly crowding. Dalgetty made his mighty horse bound and caracole till 1t seemed to deal as much death as did its rider, who was cutting right and left like man possessed.
 The mounted men broke through the ranks of Argyle and seemed to make a broad furrow. The I1ighlanders of Mon trose screamed with delight and rushed ir furiously. There was no sustaining the fight any longer. Argyles followers way cred. broke up in confusion, scattered and began to flee.
 Sir Duncan of Ardenvohr tried with un- avaling heroism to cover the retreat. His men fell around him, and he perceived that the day was lost. Argyle had sought the safety of the shipping in the loch long before The brave old knight faced the expressing enemies and prepared to die.
 Ranald of the Mist rushed at him and laid him low with one swinging blow of his broadsword. Allan McAulay rushed up to save him, but too late. Dog of an Islander" he cried did l not order that this brave soldier be taken alive and un- harmed?'
 The moment was tempting to Ran aids vengeful spirit He struck at Allan instantly. Tie latter had barely time to catch the blow on his targe
 q am Ranald of the MistF' shouted the old man, smiling again like light ming.
 Allan immediately forgot battle and victory. He leaped at the Son of the Mist headlong and with such furious might that Ranald. tiger-cat though he was fell back step by step and at last dropped to the ground with a