Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-10-31
q Stotth Story.
-
ROB ROY.

KOb NOY.
Rob Roy, or Robert McGregor, sulnamed
Roy, OF red, from the color Of his hair, was
sort of chief with his clan. lie was large
ly engaged as a cattle e-dealer, and made fire.
quent journeys to England with large droves.
On one Of these ventures he had the Duke of
Montrose for partner. The speculation
proved bad one, the market being over
stocked, and the cattle selling for less than
prime cost The Duke no sooner heard of
this misfortune, than, determined not to be
loser, without waiting for Robs return, he
collected well-armed party, and with a
"warrant Of distress in his hand, went down
and took possession of the McGregors es-
tate, turning his wife and children out of
doors, without food, shelter, OF clothing. In
due time Roy returned, and discovered the
desolation the Duke had effected. lie swore
vengeance on the tyrant, and then retired
with his family and rctainers into the noun
tains, where he established himself a new
home, somewhat less luxuriant than his an
cestral halls. Here he collected about him
a band Of followers, and soon did Monlrose
heartily repent his forcible proceedings. Al
most daily were cattle missing from his cs-
tate, and when rent day came round Rob
was sure to be on hand to seize the rents as
they were fairly paid over. On one of these
occasions Git was in the summer Of IND
Rob, with some twenty picked men and his
favoritc piper, Alpine, with great rapidity
and sccresy, made a descent upon the inn
where Killean, the Dukes chamberlain, had
receive from them their animal rents. Kill
lean was in the dining-roo with the assem-
bled tenantry, and had already given re-
ceipts for large amount Of money, when
the sound of a bagpipc was heard approach
ing
The air Played Up wi the Campbclls
and down wi the Grahams, bctokened
something hostile. They hurried to the
windows, and great was his CONSERVATION
when he beheld Rob Roy, but alone, or pre-
ceded only by the piper, Alpine, advancing
straight to the door of the inn.
Through terror that his own life might be
the forfeit of the proceedings instituted
against Rob nine years before, he sought to
preserve his masters property, and gather
ing up his rent rolls, receipts, and the bag
containing the money, he flung them into a
loft above the room. At that moment the
door was thrown open, and with respect
that was in no way assumed. the landlord
ushered in Rob Roy, fully armed, with a
,, smile on his lips and irony in his clear, gray
eye, while Alpine remained as a sentinel at
the door of the inn.
"God save all here, said Rob Roy, bow
! ing.
GA hundred thousand welcomes!" replied
{ Killcan, whose dapper little figure trcmbled
J in his bucklcd shoes, and he neryously fin
gered the breoches Bible that was always in
one of the largc-fapped pockets of his
: square skirted black velvet coat He trcm-
bed so much that the powder of his wig
floated like cloud about his head as it was
:. shaken from the curls
. On this occasion, Roy wore a short and
green jacket profusely laced with silver; a
| long, red waistcoat, and wooden shirt open
y ut the neck a belt and pair of deerskin
hose and cuarans, deliberately cut and tied
with thongs. His lawless and predatory life
had impaired wild oppression to his eye
i and bodncss to his bearing that impressed
y all present; but one of the Dukes farmers,
= named McIaron, gathering courage, pushed
v | tnt.la nf xvipa op1 opnthnr of pIickv tn
7 wards him, saying with affected confidence
y "You will drink with us, McGregor?"
= "rhat will do, blthely replied Rob, a.
d. he filed up silver 4quach with whiskey
q q and drank it of, previously giving the ole
a Highland toast
ut s'The Hills, the Glens, and The people.
cr He then laid his sword and pistols on tn
table, and presenting his little crooked snui
~ NULL to 90 round the company. in token o
III amity, he said:
s as '.Kcep your seats, gentlemen, pray, d
not let me interrupt you, and proceeded t
partakc of the cold roasted meat, the bread
Y cheese, and wine, which had been provide
st as u repast for the tenants, about thirty {
- whom were in the room.
While Rob was eating, the party rose an
nj ~, the bottle went chcerfully round till lie calle
the piper, who stood outside the the in
DIV near the open windows.
"Alpine, strike up Glentran."
On hearing the ordcr which seemed IL
forerunncr of mischief, the chamberlain an
tenants exchanged glanccs Of uneasines
which in no way subsidized when Rob stuc
.o1 o5 his pistols in his belt, and snatched Ii
he sword, as lns henchman and other followe
re- burst into the room, with clayn.oers draw
lls ranged themselves at the doors and wi
,ot dows, precluding all chances of escape.
lily Nov, Killean, said Roy for the fiji
1t time addressing his enemy, "you will, pc
~, haps, have the kindness to inform me ho
nd you have come on with the collection of i
,an grace's rents?'
rse Hesitation and fear made the factor
III ,ho lent
,t's s'Speak !" exclaimed Rob, impaticntly.
asst II have got nothing yet, stammered X
ny lnng lean.
III i;o "Comc, come know you Of old, a
An SO your tricks and falsehoods will not pt
de with me. must reckon with you fairly,
eaa the book. Produce at once your ledger =
,,I ,ni- Killean, with the perspration oozing
1t his temples, still hesitated, and began
lad protest; but Bob laid his watch on the tab
ark and cooking one Of his steel pistols, sa
no with assumed calmness:
t is s'Killean, give you but three minutes
can obey me-"
any any In the terror of death the chamberl
he grew deadly pale, and looked sick at he'
light "One minute has already passed. S
as Rob, as he began to hum an air, sure $
and that further mischief was not far off;
ared Killean, seeing the utter futility of re
wish tance, presented his rental books and /
men of money.
ncy, sNon, U;,,oa, ~, III.
his -o"' aAAn' en'o 10 ae'iiiS iiNe "
He siblc man, said Rob Roy, as he uncoc
this Tic pistol, and placed the watch in
1 the M M al, Al, 4