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

the Lowlands, (afterrards knotcn as
the herrishio Of hilrdin,) he found re.
fuge with all his people in remote
situation among the mountains at the
head OF GIenfyne, in the territory of
Argyle. When Montrose understood
that Rob had an asylum from his rival,
he wrote to him desiring that the out
law might be removed, and given up TO
justice, blaming Argyle for giving him
any countenance. Argyle replied,
that the abode which Rob occupied, he
had taken without leave, and that he
supplied him only with wood or fire,
and water for drink; and he believed
with every other thing else Rob would
supply himself. 1t was on the occa-
sion of thus leaving his native hills and
betaking himself to the mountains of
the stranger, that Helen Macgregor
composed the lament, which is mention
ed so pathetically in the third volume.
Having, however, found this retreat,
though secure and distant, both incon.
venient and uncomfortable, and their
enemies having relaxed in their pur-
suit, they left Argyle and again took
up their residence in the soil of their
nativity.
The numerous and varied assaults
to which Macgregor had been access
sorry upon the Earl of Athol and his
vassals, were not dictated in the spirit
of malice, or a wish for spoil, but con-
tinued as a chastisement for the con-
tempt in which he was held by that no.
bleman, who did not respect his brave
ry although he had often seen and
dreaded its effects. Rob having shewn
no inclination to desist from those prac-
tees, Athol resolved to correct him in
person, as all former attempts to subdue
him had failed, and with this bold in
tention he set out for Balquhdder. A
large portion of that country then be-
longed to Athol: and when he arrived
| there, he summoned the attendance of
his vassals, who very unwilingly ac-
companied him to Rob's house, as ma
ny of them were Macgregors, but dar.
ed not refuse their laird. Rob's moth.
err having died in his house, prepara-
tons were going on for the funeral,
which was to. take place that day; and
on this occasion he could have dispen-
sed with such unlooked-for guests. He
knew the purpose of their visit, and to
escape seemed impossible; but with
strength Of mind and quickness Of tho't
he buckled on his sword, and vent out
to meet the Earl. He saluted him ve-
ry graciously, and said that he was
much obliged to his ordship for having
come, unasked, to his mothers funeral,
which was a piece of friendship he did
not expect; but Athol replied, that he
did not come for that purpose; but to
desire his company to Perth. Rob,
however, declined the honor, as he
could not leave his mothers funeral,
but after doing that last duty to his pa
rent, he would go if his lordship insist
ed upon it. Athol replied, that the fu-
neral could go on very well without
him, and would admit of no delay. A
long remonstrance ensued; but the Earl
was incxorable, and Rob, apparently
complying, went away, amidst the
cries and tears of his sisters and kim
dred. Their distress reused his soul
! to a pitch of irresistible desperation,
: and breaking from the party, several
of whom he threw down, he drew his
sword. Athol, when he saw him re-
treat, drew holster pistol and fired at
him. Rob fell at the same instant, not
!. by the ball, which never touched him,
! but by slipping foot. One of his sis
tiers, the lady of Glenfallach, stout
7 woman, seeing her brother fall believed
he was killed, and making a furious
, spring at Athol, seized him by the
d throat, and brought him from his horse
> to the ground. In few minutes the
duke had been choked, as it defied the
bystanders to un6x the lady's grasp,
until Rob went to his relief, when he
was in the agonies Of suffocation. Se-
veral of Rob's friends who observed
n the suspicious haste of Athol and his
party towards his house, dreaded some
+. evil design, speedily armed, and run
y ming to his assistance, were Just arriv-
ed as Athol's eye balls were beginning
to revert to their sockets. Rob de-
b clared afterwards, that had the earl
Q been so polite as TO allow HIM to wait
d his mothers burial, he would then have
d gone along with him; but this being
S refused, he would now remain in spite
i of all his efforts; and the lady's hug
c having acted like any thing but charm
e the astonished earl was in no condition
st to renew his orders, so that he and his
$ men departed as quickly as they could
;, Had they staid till the CLAIM assembled
IT to the exequies of the old woman, it j:
d doubtful If either the chief or his com