" Mackenzie had only two men killed
in this expedition, though a few of the Kintail men, whom he caused
to be carried home on litters, were wounded.
Several instances are recorded of the prowess and intrepidity
of Alexander of Coul on this occasion. He was, excepting John
MacMhurchaidh Mhic Gillechriost, the fastest runner in the Mackenzie
country. On his way to Kintail, leading his men and driving the
creach before them, he met three or four hundred Camerons, who sent
Mackenzie a message demanding "a bounty of the booty" for passing
through their territory. This Kenneth was about to grant, and
ordered thirty cows and a few of the younger animals to be given,
saying that it "was fit that hungry dogs should get a collop;"
whereupon Alexander of Coul and his brave band of one hundred and
twenty followers started aside and swore with a great oath that if
the Camerons dared to take away a single head, they would, before
night, pay dearly for them, and have to light for their collop;
for he and his men, he said, had already nearly lost their lives
driving them through a wild and narrow pass where eighteen of
the enemy fell to their swords before they were able to get the
cattle through; but he would now let them pass in obedience to
his chief's commands.
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