It is still told in Brae Lochaber how Donald Cameron, known as Donald Mor Og, a man remarkable for his great strength, was on this occasion attacked by a French dragoon, when Donald, parrying the Frenchman’s blow, transfixed him with his bayonet, and lifting him from the saddle threw him over his shoulder among his comrades, crying, “Sin agibh fhearaibh, “There, men, is a blow for Abercromby!”
Donald, when he had left the regiment, was often visited by the Duke of Gordon (who, as Marquis of Huntly, had been his colonel) when passing through his Lochaber estates, and would press on his old commander the best his cottage afforded, treating him with the respectful familiarity which is characteristic of the old-fashioned Highlander. Donald was a good deer-stalker; shootings were not let then, and his friend the Duke did not allow him to be interfered with. Donald Mor Og came of a fighting family. His father, Donald Mor Cameron, carried Lochiel’s standard at Prestonpans. In crossing the moss then existing there, at the beginning of the action, the men got out of order, and Lochiel ordered them to halt and dress their ranks, when Donald Mor cried. “An Diabhul ‘halt’ na ‘dress’ bhios an so an diugh; leigibh leis na daoine dol air an aghairt f’had s’tha iad blath!” “Gum beannachadh Dia thu,” answered Lochiel, “biodh mar a tha thu agradh.” “The devil a ‘halt’’ or ‘dress’ will there be to-day; let the men go on while their blood is up.” “God bless you, let it be as you say,”—and the clan rushed on to victory.—Told by the Rev. A. Stewart. Nether Lochaber
