Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1833-09-26

1
ted chieftain, are extracted from the waverly
Anecdotes, which we are gratified to find have
been reprinted in this country.
Petersburg Times.
ROB roy MACGREGoR.
This reputed chief of the warlike
Macgregors, whom Sir Walter Scott
has drawn with such singular fidelity,
was the author ofvarious exploits, com.
memorated in traditional story; and
many of his deeds of fame display a
generous magnanimity, which, under
more propltious circumstances, might
have rendered him distinguished be-
netactor of the human race. In early
youth, it is said, he was remarkable for
a passionate admiration of the poesy of
his country, and to have had so reten-
tive memory as TO be able to repeat
several thousand lines. Rob Rows in
innate acquaintance with the soul-ex-
alting relics Of bardic composition, no
doubt, tended to inspire the liberal hu.
manity which softened the harsher fea-
lures of his intrepid, or, perhaps, des-
perate character. The love of nature
led him, in boyhood and in mature age,
to delight in wandering alone through
the hills and glens OF his native land.
In peaceful times, he would probably
have been conspicuous as a poet; and
If, instead of aggression, he had found
protection from the powerful border
ers of his little property, he was gifted
with talents to anticipate any transla-
ton of Ossian.
Tradition makes Rob Roy the deli
verer of many distressed damsels. On
one occasion, travelling through the
sequestered passes of Glentive, his ma
tural taste for the sublime was excited
by the picturesque grandeur of those
romantic scenes. The sun had nearly
dipped his golden hair in the western
main; but some parting tinges played
upon the rugged towering pinnacles Of
Cruachan, and the profound tranqulli-
ty of nature was unbroken, except by
gentle murmurs of the tides, that with
solemn placidity gave a character of
life to the waters of the lake. He
threw himself along a messy rock, and
gazed on the magnificent perspective,
until the slim outline could scarcely be
traced between him and the horizon.
From enrapturing reveries he was
startled by female shrieks; and draw
ing his trusty blade, he sprung for
ward to follow the sound. The shrieks
were stiaed, but the voices of the men
drew nearer, and they seemed in hot
alteration. Rob Roy laid himself
down among some tall rank grass of
the Wild and distinctly could hear two
persons disputing in high English
accent. The one expostulated in be-
half of captive lady; the other in
sisted upon his right to extort CON-
pliance with his dishonorable solicta-
lions. They still proceeded through
treadless paths, and Macgregor, with
silent determination, pursued. They
soon disappeared, as if elves of the
wood had proceeded from their Tom
hans. The screams of a female fur
nished a direction; the Celt no longer
stood in perplexity, and he lost not a
moment in shaping his course accord.
ing to the sound, which led him to a
decayed turret, the only remains of q
fortress, situated upon a craggy emf
nence. The voice was at times sup
pressed, and then burst forth will
frenzied energy. Rob Roy feared no
the face nor the arm of man; but he
afterwards confessed, that early i'm
pressions ofsupernatural agency daunt
ed his courage. Again, he recollecteC
that the cleaning counter spell, the
steel of the mighty was in his hand,
and he pressed onward to unravel The
mystery. He could discover no door
no window, in the half ruined tower
but he perceived, after surrounding
the rock, that from a tangling thicket
the tones Of distress were most audible
The moon emitted some feeble rays
by which he discerned a vaulted pas
sage, which with cautious steps he ex
plored. A faint glimmering or ligh
guided him, where, with disorders
dress, dishevelled tresses, and Lowell,
countenance, marked by tears, he foun'
in large apartment, female stretch
ed upon some grass, nearly exhauste'
by violent efforts. On seeing Rob, sh
attempted to rise, saying, 'If you com
to end my life, cheerfully shall ! NEE
. the blow. Death is my only refuge.
"Yield not to despair, lady," he re
piled, "Rob Roy Macgregor comes
$ release you. But every moment
precious, quickly tell me your wrongs.
81 am" said the lady, ga daughter {
the chief of -, treacherously de-
COY ed from the castle of my father, b
!, knight of England. He and h