Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1858-01-07

Of caterans that disturbed the tranquility
of the country, and kept the proprietors
in a perpetual state of anxiety, by lifting
as it was called, their cattle, and other
predatory acts.
Upon %inquiring after my old friend,
Ranald, | was told he had not been heard
of for a long time, and that it was gener.
ally supposed be had been killed in some
Of his m~aurading expeditions.
One individual seemed to be peculiarly
obnoxious to these worthless, and his cat
tie had been repeatedly carried off, and
his graneries had been despoiled. He
had bought some of the forfeited estates
at small value, and having the misfortune
for so it was reckoned amongst the
proud Highlanders, whose pedigree were
generally as long as their purses were
short-to be a pargenu, his father having
been a grocer III the Luckenbooths of Ed
inburg, he experienced no mercy from the
caterans, and little sympathy from the
gentry in his vicinity, who laughed at his
nisfortunes. To crown all. he had been
a commissary in the army of the Duke of
Cumberland; and though neither a bad
man, mol a hard landlord. still his origin
al connection with the bloody Duke was
a sin not to be forgiven, and hence the
reason of his peculiar persecution.
Irritated by a series of provoking out
RACES, Peter Penny, Esq, of Glenbodle,
appealed to our commander; and, as he
volunteered to guide q small detachment
to the place where he had good reason to
believe his tormentors were concealed, his
appeal was listened to-; and under the
charge of one of our lieutenants, a party
of some twenty d thirty soldiers procee-
ded to capture the caterans. As resist
ance was anticipated, they were we'll
armed, and every p~recaution was adopted
to prevent surprise by ambush.
OF this ! thought nothing. Such oc-
oafsaaeea weFc4asmoa and usually the
Eob}ects were accomplished With nossefy
great difficulty. In this case the result
was different; and, although the detach-
ment was successful, and it was only SO
at a great expenditure Of life; fol- the ca
terans gave battle, and were eventually
subdued, after killing five of the Kings
troops, and severely w~ohnding the com
mander. The laird himself escaped free;
for holding the truth Of the adage, that
the better part Of the yalor is discretion,
he prudently kept in the rear, and thus
ran no other risk than a chance shot
Poor fellow, Measured me-and | believe
he spoke with perfect sincerity-that. had
he imagined SO much blood was to be shed
on his account, he had much rather the cat
Grams had stolen every animal on his es-
tate, and carried of. its entire produce.
The defence had been we'll ordered; and
it required little observation to see that
the chief of the caterans was skilled in
military tactics. He fought with Infinite
bravery, and it was not until q great pro.
portion Of his band was either killed or
wounded that his capture was effected
and even this would have been doubtful,
had he not been weakened BY loss Of blood.
He was however, brought to Inverness,
with one or two Of his ~confederates, who
had also been severely wounded. The
rest retreatcd safely to the Businesses OF
the mountains.
The day following, I was somewhat
surprised by an intimation, that one OF
the captives was desirious of seeing me.
/ proceeded to the prison. when | found
a mar lying on a heap Of straw, evident
ly in a very exhausted state.
/" This is kind, Captain Jardine very,
kind,n he exclaimed. Then after pausing
a minute he proceeded, whilst a faintsmile
passed ever his face When We last met
it was in other circumstances"
"Gracious Providence!" / answered,
tg -. ~ - L. - pwuoJA Mnra9D
You see all that remains of him-a
few short hours, and I shall be beyond
the reach Of earthly foes. had nee
hoped that better days would have come;
but they came not. / sought pardon but
it was refused-driven back to my old
courses. I am about to pay the penalty Of
my sins.
/ e~ndeavored to reassufe him; for In
truth, I felt a sincere esteem for him, and
personally knew his honorable princi-
pies, and deeply regretted that so noble
a fellow should have been thrown away.
I got the best medical advice, procured a
comfortable bed, and everything that
might tend to alleviate his sufferings dur
ing the brief remainder of his days.
He was gratiied by my attentions
" One thing consoles me" he said-"I
shall not die the death Of a felon- Your
soldiers hage spared me that disgrace"
DO not despond," I rejoined; : whilst
there Is life there is hope,-and
Here he interrupted me with
aNo-no-no. ! would not live If |
could; | am weary, and need rest in my
graves Captain he continued you