Historical and genealogical account of the Clan Maclean

HISTORICAL NOTICES. 13
the battle raged amid the most dreadful havoc and
carnage on both sides. In the after part of the
day, while victory yet weighed the balance with
an even hand for either side, the Lord of Duart
met an adversary worthy his sanguinary clay-
more, Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum, of whose
prowess he had often heard. They were guided
to one another by the armorial bearings on their
shields.* " Ha ! chief of Duart, follower of a
rebel vassal, have I at length the satisfaction to
see thee within reach of my sword's point," ex-
claimed the knight of Drum. — " Time-serving
slave," replied Maclean, " thou hast, if it be
satisfaction to thee , and if my steel be as keen
as my appetite for life of thine thou shalt not
have time to repeat thy taunt." The result was
not of long duration, for such was the fury with
which the heroic rivals fought that they fell
dead foot to foot on the field, ere a friend had
time to aid either. Thus fell " Eachuinn Ruadh
na 'n Cath," in a way we may conclude the most
congenial to such a spirit,
" With his back to the field, and his feet to the foe."
The traditions of his country speak much of him
to the present day ; many anecdotes nurtured by
an affectionate feeling for his memory are yet
told of him ; for it would appear that Hector
* Sir George Mackenzie's Heraldry.