Inverness to Moy, Mackenzie, who had been advised of Huntly's
intentions, despatched a messenger - John Mackenzie of Kinnock -
to Inverness, to ask his Lordship to be as favourable as possible
to his sister, Mackintosh of Mackintosh's wife, and to treat her as
a gentlewoman ought to be treated when he came to Moy, and that
he (Colin) would consider it as an act of personal courtesy to
himself. The messenger delivered his message, to which Huntly
replied, that if it were his good fortune, as he doubted not it
would be, to apprehend her husband and her, "she would be the worst
used lady in the North; that she was an ill instrument against
his cause, and therefore he would cut her tail above her houghs."
"Well, then," answered Kinnock, "he (Kintail) bade me tell your
Lordship if that were your answer, that perhaps he or his would
be there to have a better care of her." "I do not value his being
there more than herself" Huntly replied, "and tell him so much
from me." The messenger departed, when some of Huntly's principal
officers who heard the conversation remonstrated with his Lordship
for sending the Mackenzie chief so uncivil an answer, as he might
have cause to regret it if that gentleman took it amiss. Kinnock
on his arrival at Brahan, told his master what had occurred,
and delivered Huntly's rude message. Colin, who was at the time
in delicate health, sent for his brother, Rory Mor of Redcastle,
and sent him next day across the ferry of Ardersier with a force
of four hundred warriors. These he marched straight through the
hills; and just as Huntly, on his way from Inverness, was coming
in sight, on the west of Moy, Rory and his followers were marching
along the face of the hill on the east side of the Island, when
his Lordship, perceiving such a large force, asked his officers
who they could be. One of them, present during the interview with
Mackenzie's messenger on the previous day, answered, "Yonder is the