The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-07-24


ness of the kind on occasion, but II
must be remembered that at the time
in which he lived cattle-lifting was OF
common occurrence in the northern
parts Of Scotland. so that in that mat
ter Rob was no worse than his neigh
bors; indeed, he seems to have been
quite as much an adept at recovering
such property when stolen as at help
ing himself on his own account.
Though possessed Of qualities that
would have fitted him for n military
life the occupations assigned to Rob
Roy We're of a more homely descrip-
ton. 1t was customary at that time
for gentlemen of property as well as
their tenantry to deal in the trade of
grazing and selling cattle, and to this
employment did Rob Roy also dedicate
himself. He took a tract Of land IN
Balquhidder for that purpose, and for
some years pursued a prosperous
course. But his cattle were often
stolen, in common with those of his
neighbors by hordes Of banditti who
infested the country, so that to protect
himself from these marauders he was
constrained to maintain a party OF
men, and to this cause may be at
tributed the war-like habits which he
afterwards acquired.
In the latter days Of his father, Rob
Roy assisted him in all his concerns,
especially in that of collecting his fees
for protection, and after the old mans
demise he pursued q similar course of
life, and received such blackmail from
many proprietors Of his vicinity, an
engagement which he fulfilled with
more determination and effect than
had before been experienced, and it
was in a pursuit after some thieves
that he gave the first proofs OF bis
activity and courage.
A considerable party Of Macraes
from the western coast Of Ross had
committed an outrage on the property
of Finlarig and carried off fifteen head
of cattle.
An express informed Rob Roy of
the circumstance, and being the first
call Of the kind he had received he
lost no time in collecting his follow
ers to the number Of twelve, and they
set off to overtake the men Of Ross
and their spoil. They travelled two
days and a night before they obtained
any other information as to their
track than at times seeing the impress
sion of the cattle's feet on the ground.
On the second night, being some
what fatigued, they lay down on the
heather to rest till morning, when one
Of them discovered fire at some dis
tance. This he communicated to his
companions. and they went on to recon
noitre, when they found it was band
of tinkers who had pitched tent
close by, and were carousing. Their
mirth, however, was turned into ter
Tor when they beheld Rob Roy and
his party, as they little expected such
an intrusion in SO secluded place;
but they soon recognized MacGregor.
The tinkers Informed him that they
had seen the Macraes, who were at no
great distance; and two of the fra
ternity agreed to conduct his party to
the spot, for which they set out after
having partaken Of such hospitality as
the wallets of the gang could afford.
The freebooters had halted, for the
security Of their spoil, in narrow part
of the glen, conncd by semi-c!rcular
rocks, where the MacGregors overlook
them just as they were setting out.
Rob Roy charged them to stop ut their
peril, but, as they disregarded the
order. he instantly rushed upon them,
and before they had time to rally six
of their number were wounded and
lay PROSTATE on the ground. Eleven
who remained made stout resistance,
and it was not until two were killed
and five more wounded that they gave
I'D the contest.
Four of Rob Roy's lads were sorely
wounded and one killed, and he him
self received cut on the left arm
from the captain Of the banditti. The
booty, being thus recovered, was driv-
en- back and restored to the rightful
Dwner.
Rob Roy received great praise for his
pXploit; and those who had not form
erly afforded him their countenance
were now anxious to contribute DO
nation Of blackmail.
During the reign Of that remarkable
5icot James H., both civil and religious
discord reached their climax, and
most odious deeds Of oppression and
cruelty were constantly enacted under
the cloak of piety. At some such
scenes Rob Roy had occasionally been
present as spectator, reSretting that
strong man though he was, he was
not powerful enough to crush down
the perpetrators.
1t happened on q time that he had
been to Carlisle to receive some money
that was due to him, and returning
home by way of Moffat he comes upon
an officer and party of soldiers who
are engaged in hanging on tree four
peasants, whom they described as fan
atics. Covenanters and Nonconform-
lists: the daughter of one of these un-
fortunates they have bound to the
same tree. Their cruel work being
completed. they proceeded to unloose
tho girl, tie her hands and feet, and
drag her towards the verge of a preci-
pice. from which. REGARDLESS of her