334 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



with the horse ; how disproportionate were the losses of 

 the two armies ; and how Urry joined Montrose in the 

 following year ; there seems to be a certain basis for the 

 suggestion that treachery of some sort was at work, 

 although the facts are obscure. The defeat of the 

 Covenanters is sufficiently intelligible upon other grounds. 

 On the one side was Montrose, animated alike by the 

 cause for which he fought, and by his uninterrupted series 

 of victories. The disparity in numbers between his army 

 and Urry's, was counterbalanced by the belief held by his 

 men in the invincibility of their general. On the other side, 

 was an army hastily assembled, and, though stiffened by the 

 regiments of veterans, largely composed of ill-trained troops, 

 indifferently led by commanders who were Covenanters by 

 name but Royalists at heart. 



After Auldearn, Seaforth hesitated no longer in declaring 

 for the Royalists. He arranged with Montrose that before 

 joining him openly, he would endeavour to secure the co- 

 operation of Lord Reay, Balnagown, Lovat, Sir James 

 Macdonald of Sleat, and John Macleod of Harris. John of 

 Moidart, the Captain of Clan Ranald, was already heartily 

 with the Royalists, having, with Glengarry, joined Mac 

 Coll Keitach when the latter despatched the fiery cross to 

 summon the clans to his assistance. Soon afterwards, 

 Seaforth's " Remonstrance " and his consequent excom- 

 munication by the General Assembly, placed him definitely 

 and openly on the side of Montrose. It is at least creditable 

 to the vacillating Earl, that his public declaration for 

 Montrose was made after the battle of Philiphaugh, when, 

 by a rapid change of fortune, the brimming cup of success 

 was dashed from the lips of that great commander. 



With the exception of Macdonald of Sleat, none of 

 Seaforth's colleagues responded to his call to join Montrose 

 at Inverness, the siege of which was raised on the approach 

 of General Middleton. The latter subsequently captured 

 the Castle of Chanonry, which was obstinately defended by 

 Seaforth's Countess, who had the responsibility thrown 

 upon her shoulders of preventing the stores and ammuni- 



