She ordered Duncan MacGillechriost,
a powerful handsome fellow, to take command of the galley in his
father's absence, and in eloquent terms charged them all with the
honour of her house and her own protection in her husband's absence.
This was hardly necessary, for the Kintail men had not yet forgotten
the breach of faith which had been committed by Macdonald regarding
the recent agreement to cease hostilities for a stated time, and
other recent sores. Her ladyship having wished them God-speed,
they started on their way rejoicing and in the best of spirits.
She mounted the castle walls, and stood there encouraging them
until, by the darkness of the night, she could no longer see them.
On their way towards Kylerhea they met a boat from Lochalsh sent
out to inform them of the enemy's arrival at Kyleakin. Learning
this, they cautiously kept their course close to the south side of
the loch. It was a calm moonlight night, with occasional slight
showers of snow. The tide had already begun to flow, and, judging
that the Macdonalds would await the next turning of the tide to
enable them to get through Kylerhea, the Kintail men, longing for
their prey, resolved to advance and meet them.
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