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
and 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