=6. Battle of Sheriffmuir.=--Meanwhile Mar was managing the affairs of James almost as badly in Scotland. He entered _Perth_ September 28 with a force of 5,000. On the 2nd of October a detachment of eighty horse captured a vessel with 300 stand of arms, which were intended for the _Earl of Sutherland_ in the North. The vessel had been driven by stress of weather to seek shelter at Burntisland, on the coast of Fife. Instead of pushing on while his followers were inspirited by this success, _Mar_ stayed at _Perth_ doing nothing. The _Duke of Argyle_, who was sent to oppose him, arrived in Scotland and marched to Stirling in the middle of September. He had then only 1500 men at his command, but before Mar made any attempt to engage him his army had been more than doubled by reinforcements from Ireland. It was not till November 10 that Mar left Perth. He marched south as far as Ardoch. Argyle brought his troops forward to Dunblane. On Sunday the 13th, the two armies advanced to meet each other, and a battle was fought at _Sheriffmuir_, a moor on the slope of a spur of the Ochils. The result was doubtful. Each army defeated and put to flight the left wing of the other and then drew off the field, the rebels to _Ardoch_, _Argyle_ to _Dunblane_, and both lost about the same number of men. Each side claimed the victory, but _Argyle_ took possession of the field the next day. After the battle _Argyle_ went back to _Stirling_ and _Mar_ to _Perth_. There the clans began to desert him, going home as usual with their plunder, while _Argyle's_ force was increased by six thousand _Dutch_ troops.