Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-10-31

owed his misfortune in the loss of a home,
he generously allowed him to depart in
safety.
In l7i7 Rob Roy was captured. A large
reward had been offered for him, dead or
alive, and stimulated perhaps by this, the
Duke of Athole, who had been Jacobite,
and therefore in sympathy with Rob, de-
termincd TO entrap him, and deliver him
over to the Government. He accordingly
sent our hero an urgent invitation to visit
him an his castle, assuring him of perfect
safety, and even procuring for him pro-
lection from the government Thus de-
ceivcd Rob duly appeared at the Castle Of
Blair, in chamber of which the Duke had
treachcronsly concealed an officer and sixty
soldiers. lie was cordially received.
al know not how 10 express the joy feel
in haying so brave a gentleman in my
hsuse," said the Duke but as a first favor,
must beg you 10 lay side aside your sword
and pistols"
Wherefore, my lord p asked Rob he
felt surprised at q thing SO unusual.
'.Thc Duchess is somewhat timid, and the
sight Of such things always alarm her."
"By my faith, Atholc, had she seen her
rooitrce in flames, aud so much of her own
blood shed as my coed wife has seen in her
time, the sight Of an armed man would not
cause uncasiness,' replied Rob, as he laid
aside his dirk and pistols. But where is
your good lady, Duke ?"
sin the garden. where we shall Join her" :"
The Duchess came hurriedly forward to
met The famous outlaw Of whom she had
heard so much, and to whom she presented
her hand, for as yet she was Ignorant Of the
vile plot her husband had framed.
McGregor ?" she exclaimed, on seeing
him without sword; McGIegor here and
unarmed !"
Rob saw Mt once he had been yictlmlzed,
and glanced up 10 the Duke, who colored
deeply, and said with some confusion
81 thought your sword might prove trou-
blesomc if anything unpleasant occurred be-
tween us.
Between friends-between guest and
a host, what could occur that would be un-
pleasant? / understand you not"
"You will understand this, Mr. McGre-
gor," said the Duke, throwing off his dis
guiso 'you have committed such wild work
along tho border that must detain you"
"Detain inc r. repeated Rob, with sur
prise.
s.And send you 10 Edinburgh
"Whcre | should swing in a gibbet, a
holiday sight for the psalm-singng burgess
scs. am then shared betrayed ?" exc.aim-
ed Rob, starting back.
"phrase it as you please; L"
elias man of your rank and name u soul
SO mean, go vile, that he will forfeit lionol
and faith TO win the paltry reward Offered
for the head Of loyal and unfortunate gen.
teman, whom tyranny and oppression have
covered with ruin and driven to despair and
shamc?' Cinching his right hand, he would
have struck the Duck to the earth, but for q
piteous shrek which came from his lady.
At this moment an iron gate opened and
sixty soldiers rushed in, surrounded McGreg
or, and beat him down with the butts oil
their muske,s. lie was bound and dragged
away to an adjacent village, where he was
kept under a strong escort until arrange
menis coull be made for taking him to Edin
burgh.
Rob Roy, finding himself in ono Of th'
miserable cottages of the village, began Il
hope that he might perhaps achieve an cs
cape. As a preliminary he begged the ser
gent to undo the cords which bound hi
hands, that he might write farewell lettel
to his unhappy wife, who had then fount
shelter in the little farmhouse of Portnellan
at the head of I.och Katrine.
The sergeant was humane man he sal
, something about his own wife, and he did a
+ Rob requested though in defiance Of expires
/ orders
Then as he had been liberal in supply
, ing the soldiers with whiskey and ale, the
, became friendly with McGrcgor, and so attc
n time the letter was written; but there wa
| d difficulty in prcc clring messenger
f Loch Katrne, as several McGregors had l,
Gated themselves thereabouts, and reprisa
/ were dreaded.
Il The stormy night wore on, and ere Ion
n all the soldiers were sleeping save one, VII
stood with his loaded carbinc at the door {
the cottage. TO SIcG'regor it seemed as
q this man pitied him, as he had been MOI
d gentle than his comrades, and had ministc
!. ed to his comfort, so far as he dared sin'
K the time of his betrayal at Blair
is Being strong, active and wiry as moul
rs tain star, to rush on this trooper and wrent
away his carbine would have been an cal
/ task to McGregor, but the key of the cottal
door hung 1T the waistbelt Of the sleepil
i sergeant; thus the preliminary scutlle wou
r only serve to rouse the whole party, and e
W sure his being shot down by some of thei
ia As these ideas occurred to the captive,
surveyed the sentinel, whose gaze was ne
l. er turned from him. With a swarthy,
most olive-tinted face, and deep, dark ey'
he was stout and handsome young ma
IL and his profusely braided uniform, with
heavy red cuffs, his horse grenadier eap,a
I'd tasseled boots, became him well. He h
IS his right hand on the lock of his carbir
by the barrel of which rested in the hollow
his left arm.
on "How goes the night p asked McGres
to "Twelve has just struck on the hisk-cle
lie, without replied the soldier, "and
id. night is cold and eerie yet. You can h
the sough of the wind among the trees,
to the roar of tho Tay, too"
"You are, think, a soutl-countrym
ain by your accent, said McGregor.
rt EYES, replied the trooper, dryly, as
aid was 10th to become too familiar with p
i'm oner of character so formidable;
so moreover, the sergeant might be awake.
sis "Take another taste of the whiskey,n m
ags there is drop in tina quaich What par
the South are you from ?"
en- The trooper drained the little wooden
Sed and replied
his 81 come from Moifatdale; my auld M
,,. a., i,,,,lau in n hit of thatched hellse Mt Cr