Lairds of Glenlyon

240 THE LAIRDS OF GLENLYON.
advanced their columns to Dunblane, General Gordon
halted on the moor of Ardoch, and informed Hamilton,
who was coming up with the main body. The army being
drawn up in order of battle, near the Roman camp at Ar-
doch, guards were posted, and the men prepared to spend
the night there. General Gordon in the meantime marched
forward to Kinbuck with the clans, when the news of the
royal army being at Dunblane was confirmed, and he
accordingly fired the three signal guns, whereupon the
main body came up, and the whole men lay under arms
all night at Kinbuck, and formed early next morning,
fronting towards Dunblane.
Though within two miles of each other, the view was so
intercepted that neither army knew the disposition of the
other until they met almost face to face in battle array.
Mar had no intention to hazard all on the fate of a battle.
He called a council of war, and, notwithstanding the warn-
ing anticipation of Huntly and others, who thought the
sham movement of attempting to pass by Stirling Bridge
had already sufficiently answered the immediate object of
withdrawing the Duke's army from the Lothians, and leav-
ing the road open to Brigadier M'Intosh's detachment, the
ardour of the chiefs determined the resolution to fight.
No sooner was it announced to the ranks, than the men
enthusiastically threw their bonnets into the air and de-
manded to be led on.
The victory was doubtful, though the consequences were
quite decisive. Argyle with his right wing slowly forced
back the left wing of the rebels, commanded by Gordon,
Huntly, Seaforth, and several others. This advantage was
altogether owing to his having been able to outflank the