Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-06-20
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.DomhnuIl GruimseAs q ne ulaeh
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tscottish Americana
The most notorious cattle-lifter that ha-
raised the Black Isle. Scotland, for the past
two or three hundred years was man OF
the name Of Donald Fraser. who from bis
fierce and foreboding appearance was called
"Domhnull GrUimach and In truth ne
could not have received more appropriate
sovbriquef, for Grim Donald was terror
not only OF the Black Isle, but OF the sur
rounding districts rs far rs bis depredations
extended. lie plundered unsparingly every
laird and vassal OF the choicest sheep and
cattle as far as he could, aud he did not
confine his rambIes. He visited the coun-
ties of Inverness. Sutherland, and CATH
ness, besides Ross-shire. lie dwelt on the
Black Isle.
Grim Donald made his home on the Muir
Of TarradaIe, his house, or rather hut, De-
ing within short distance OF the Garri-
son. which in more recent years was kept
by the famous "Fearchair-a -Ghunna," the
Ross. shire wanderer. But, although the
Muir OF Tarradale was Donlld's residence,
be was seldom there. He was more fire.
quently on plundering expedition and,
when so engaged, il would take a man
with pretty strong nerve to question his
actions in his own presence, for he never
walked abroad without bis long. ugly dirk.
Being as daring and reckless as he was Gun.
ming, and having a thorough knowledge OF
every corner, hole. and crevice in the whole
country. Ii was no easy matter Tor those he
spoiled to bring a charge thoroughly home
TO him, though not few were all but GER
tain that ii was be and be alone that car
rled away their stock.
At length, however, the laird OF Apple.
cross, whose estate of Highfeld lay near the
freebooter's residence, and from which sew
raj cattle and sheep had shortly before been
stolen, determined TO have Donald's bothy
thoroughly searched. He accordingly dis
PATCHED a band Of the strongest men found
IN Applecross TO Grim Donalds hut; aud
IL so happened that one OF the best wedders
OF Highfeld had disappeared the night be-
fore. This so far favored the men
OF Appecross for petext to search
The thiei's dwelling. About noon the
men Gene in view, OF Grim Donalds hut,
and at that moment he happened to be
standing near the door, and, as guilty
mind is seldom at rest. he with the keen
penetrating eye of the vulture, scanned the
surrounding country i'm all directions, and
at once espied the Applecross men fast
approacbing. Guessing their business
by their rapid movements, and there
being little time TO spare, he has
tened into the hut and Selling the we'd
der. which was standing in the corner near
the Ere. be bound Il firmly with thongs OF
rawbide. He then placed II in an old
cradle which happened to be In the hut,
and, covering ii with piece OF blanket,
sat down beside il and began rocking il as
IL II had been a child, humming the we'll
known Gaelic CrOndn-" BatOo, baloO.
bnIOO mo leandbh." He was so engaged
when twelve stalwart Ilighlanders entered
his hut.
"Well, Donald" said the captain Of the
band. g suppose you know what brought
Us here today"
"No, indeed, | do not" answered the
thief, as he continued TO rock the cradle
tendcrly and hum, " BdIoo, bdioo, bdioO mo
iCdn0bh."
owe came for the weddcry or stole from
Highfeld yesterday" continued the captain.
"Where Is it, Donald"
"Mav eat him that's IN the cradle 4
took it," answered the thief quite seriously,
and then struck up" BdLOO, bdiOO, 6dlOo
mo leGndbh."
'Relicve Thief, and he shall never be
hanged" said the captain. as he ordered
hts mon TO search every corner IN the hu'
fIom end 70 end, aud not b leave a peat
uuturned. These orders were rigidlv At
tended 10, but no trace Of the sheep was
found, and they did not think OF question:
ing Grim Donald further about the matter,
and far less did they think OF examining the
contents Of The cradle, that by which the self
continued nurse had sworn 50 ferycntly.
Mortified with their fruitlcss expedition,
the partv left the Muir OF Tarradale With
out either finding the IIighfeld wcdder. or
trace of any animal, or apprehcndiDg the
caiilc.iiter. who. il can well be supposed.
va, Tut too happy when he saw them going
away. And thus did Grim Donald get out
Of his uncomfortable dilemma. But al
though Grim Donald only escaped detection
" th the skin OF his teeth, il had no effect
on his thieying career. which he continued
Gs formerly.
Some time after the event Just narrated
Donald Gruimach had the daring impu-
donce to 20 to kiisOy Mans and steal there
from one Of the best builockS Laird Mcken-
2ic possessed. But, for some cause or
other. no effort was made at the time t.
apprehcnd him. He was permitted to prose-
cute his thieyish trade undisturbed
for considerable time. one day.
however, the plunderer was seen
in the vlcrlty Of the castle,
and. being informed OF the fact, kilroy
went out for the purpose Of securing him.
Having got into conversation, kIlroy, in
order to ontrap him, told him that he had a
yeTv important letter 10 send TO the sheriff
Of Fortrose; that he could no. trust ii ex-
ctpt to q confidential person; that he Uhe
thicD was that very person, and that II he
should convey 1t and deliver it safely he
would be handsomely paid for his trouble
he would get shilling.
Gruimach consented To carry the letter,
and Kilroy then fastened into the castle and
wrote the necessary miNsiye TO the sheriff,
the purport Of which was that the bearer
was tie notorious cattle-stealcr at Tara
dale. 10 secure and lodge him safely in
iail at once, and that abundance Of proof
against him would arrive at FOrtroSe
forthwith. A. soon as the episile was
written it was handed unSealcd to Donald
Gruimach. who instantly started for Fort
rose. He could not. of course, either read
OF write, and there was no great chance OF
any other than the proper per,On seeing 1t
while IN his possession: 80 that there was
no necessity for sealing the letter, even
should material for the purpose be more
plentiful than II was then At kilroy. lie
did not proceed far. however, when he
opened the ncatiy-folded pape-. which he
then .exfminod very carefully. when
he imagined that k'lroys brown 0X's
horns could he distinctly traced in
it. II tlen occurred TO him that the
letter was written for his own appre-
tension, and, not liking the idea Of being
confined in dark ceH and fed with bread
and water till he should be executed, he
rCiractd his steps. Reaching the castle,
the frst he met was the laird himself. who
Incurred in establishment how he had IT,
turned so soon. Returned answcre
the wary thief. il is no wonder that | re-
turned, FOR see the very horns OF your
brown OK IN that letter" 80 saying, he
threw the letter at kilroy'S feet and imme-
diatey fled to his den at Tarradale.
4 few days after the incident Just stated
Donald Gruimach stole an early slot be-
lcrgIng to poor widow residing on the
estate Of Tullock, near Dingwall. BY the
Instructions Of Mr.. Balm, the laird OF Tul.
loeb. who interested himself in the poor
widow, the thief was seized some hours
subsequent to the committal of the theft
and safely lodged in the jail OF Dingwa!l,
But, strange to say, though the thief was
apprehended within few hours after the
theft, the slot was not recovered ;
ard this circumstance induced the
poor widow TO visit him daily in
IL Ia Ln1 ,tt. 1,