Here Sir Thomas receiv’d Intelligence, that the Highlanders design’d to encamp upon the Spey, near the Laird of Grant’s Castle.  Whereupon we began our March about Noon; and the next Day, about the Break thereof, we came to that River, where we soon discover’d the Highlanders by their Fires.  Sir Thomas immediately, on Sight of it, issued his Orders for our fording the River, and falling upon them as soon after as possible.  Both were accordingly perform’d, and with so good Order, Secrecy and Success, that Cannon and Balfour, their Commanders, were obliged to make their Escape naked.

They were about one Thousand in Number, of which were kill’d about three Hundred; we pursued them, till they got up Crowdale-Hill, where we lost them in a Fog.  And, indeed so high is that Hill, that they, who perfectly knew it, assured me that it never is without a little dark Fog hanging over it.  And to me, at that Instant of Time, they seem’d rather to be People receiv’d up into Clouds, than flying from an Enemy.

Near this there was an old Castle, call’d Lethendy, into which about Fifty of them made their Retreat, most of them Gentlemen, resolving there to defend themselves to the last.  Sir Thomas sent a Messenger to them, with an Offer of Mercy, if they would surrender:  But they refus’d the profer’d Quarter, and fir’d upon our Men, killing two of our Grenadiers, and wounding another.  During my Quarters at the Grave, having learnt to throw a Grenado, I took three or four in a Bag, and crept down by the Side of a Ditch, or Dyke, to an old thatch’d House near the Castle, imagining, on my mounting the same, I might be near enough to throw them, so as to do execution.  I found all Things answer my Expectation; and the Castle wanting a Cover, I threw in a Grenado, which put the Enemy immediately into Confusion.  The Second had not so good Success, falling short, and the Third burst as soon as it was well out of my Hand, though without Damage to my self.  But throwing the Fourth in at a Window, it so increas’d the Confusion, which the first had put them into, that they immediately call’d out to me, upon their Parole of Safety, to come to them.

Accordingly I went up to the Door, which they had barricaded, and made up with great Stones; when they told me they were ready to surrender upon Condition of obtaining Mercy.  I return’d to Sir Thomas; and telling him what I had done, and the Consequence of it, and the Message they had desir’d me to deliver (a great many of the Highland Gentlemen, not of this Party, being with him) Sir Thomas, in a high Voice, and broad Scotch, best to be heard and understood, order’d me back to tell ’em, He would cut them all to Pieces, for their Murder of two of his Grenadiers, after his Proffer of Quarter.