Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-09-15
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MAC IAN CHER.


Archibald Macdonald, commonly
known by the above patronimic, was
perhaps the most perfect master of his
hazardous profession of any who ever
practised it. Archibald was by birth
gentleman, proprietor Of a small estate
in Argyleshire, which he however LOST
early in life. He soon distinguished
himself as cattle litter on an extensive
scale; and weak as the arm Of the law
might then have been, he found il ad-
visable to remove further from its inhu-
ence, and he shifted his residence from
his native district Of Appin to remote
peninsula of Ardnamurchan, which was
admirably adapted TO his purpose, from
lis geographical position. He obtain
ed lease of an extensive farm, and fit
ted up large cow-house, though his
whole visible live stock consisted of one
filly. His neighbours could not help
making remarks on this subject, but he
begged of them TO have no anxiety on
that head, assuring them his byre would
be full ere Christmas and he was as
good as his word. He had trained the
FLY TO suit his purpose, and it was
practice Of his TO tie other horses TO her
tail; she then directed her course
homeward by unfrequented routes aud
always found her way in safety.
His expeditions were generally carried
on by sea, and he annoyed the most dis
tant of the Hebrides, both to the south
and north. He often changed the ceE
our of his clothes and sails, and adopted
whatever appeared best suited to his
immediate purpose. In consequence Of
this artifce, his depredations were fire.
quently ascribed to others, and some
times TO men of the first distinction in
that country,so dexterously did be initiate
their Birings and their Insignia He
held his land from Campbell, of Loeb
nell, into whose favour he had i1sinu-
ated himself by his knowledge and adj
dress.
When Lochnell resided at the castle Of
Mingary. Archibald was often offered to
lie on mattrass in his bedroom TO en-
terrain him at night with the recitation
OF the poems of Ossian, and with tales.
Archibald Contrived means 10 convert
this circumstance TO his advantage. He
ordered his men to be in readiness, and
he that night selected one of his longest
poems. AS he calculated, Lochnell fell
asleep before he had finished the reci-
tai; the robber skunk out and soon join
ed his associates. He steered for the
island of Null, where some of his men
had been previously sent to execute his
orders he carried off whole fold Of
cattle, which he landed safely, and re-
turned TO his mattrass before Lochnell
awoke. When he lay down he purpos-
, ly snored SO loudly that the sleeping
chief was disturbed, and complained of
the tremendous noise the fellow made,
observing that, fond as he was Of poe
try, he must deprive himself Of it in flu.
ture on such conditions. To this Arch
$ ibald had no objections; his principle
object was then accomplished, and TAX
ing up the tale where he had stopped
when his patron fell asleep, he finished
a it, and slept soundly 10 an advanced
: hour.
The cattle were Immediately missed,
, and suspicion fell on Archibald; but he
triumphantly referred to LochneII for a
E proof of his innocence, and this he OBJ
b tanned. That gentleman solemnly de-
clared that the robher had never been
out OF bis room during that night, and
so the charge was Of course dropped.
q A wealthy man who resided in the
neighbourhood was noted for his penu-
e rious habits, and he had incurred par
ticular odium by refusing supply OF
: meal 10 poor widow in distress. This
r man had sent quantity of grain TO the
$ mill, which as usual he attended him
n self. and was conveying the meal home
= at night on horseback. The horses
we're tied in string, the halter of one
fixed TO the tail Of another; and the
owner Jed the foremost by long teth-
7 er. His road laid through wood, and
: Archibald there watched his approach.
The night was dark and the man walk
ed slowly, humming song; the ground
] was soft, and the horses having no
shoes Gas is still usual in that country, J
q their tread made no noise. Archibald
ordered one of his men to loose the
: tether from the head of the front horse
and to hold it, himself occupying the
! place Of the horse, and 10 walk on at
e the same Pace.-He thus got possession
ofthe whole. The miser soon arrived
! at his own door, and called for assistance
! to deposit the winter store in safety ;
> but to his establishment, found he had
? but the halter