History of the Frasers of Lovat

172 HISTORY OF THE FRASERS.
of Inverness and the Frasers. But on being- informed that
Argyll with a force of 3000 men had entered Lochaber and
was laying waste that country in his rear, he turned back
and defeated them with great slaughter at the memorable
battle of Inverlochy, on the 2nd of February, 1645.
During the commotions and disasters of this period, Lord
Lovat, although worn out with his physical and mental
infirmities, often took occasion to reprove his brother, Sir
James, for the part he was pursuing. " His Lordship's own
innate inclinations naturally led him to have appeared for
the King's service, but through a misunderstanding that
happened between the Marquis of Huntly and the Marquis
of Montrose, who were commissioned by the King, he could
not be induced to join with either of them, for, as his heart
was set on the King's interest, to which he wished success
and prosperity, so, no considerations could induce him to
give the least countenance to those he thought the King's
enemies, let the pretext be never so specious. But the
Marquis of Argyll having gained Sir James, the Earl of
Leven, who was the young Master of Lovat's grandfather
and Commander-in-Chief of the forces in Scotland, against
the King, took care to keep a watchful eye over Lord Lovat,
lest his appearance on the King's side might have affected
the estate and embarassed the succession of his young
grandson," a result which came about at the time in many
other cases.
The Frasers still continued loyal to the Covenant. Gen-
erals Hurry and Baillie were sent against Montrose, and
for several months a desultory war was carried on. About
the beginning of May, Hurry, who was stationed at Enzie,
in Morayshire, was surprised one day to find Montrose with
a greatly superior force within six miles of his camp, before
he was even aware that he had crossed the Grampians. He
became greatly alarmed, and retreated hurriedly to Inver-
ness. Here his former panic gave way to a very different
sensation, when he found the Earls of Seaforth and Suther-
land, with their retainers, the Frasers, and others, all
assembled to meet him. These new allies increased his