The suburban citizen., 1901-07-27
The Adventures OfROb Roy
BY Alfred Hutton.
HE popular idea OF this IA
was nothing better than a

was nothing better than a
rObber and a cattle-lifter.
Doubtless he did transact a little busi-
ness of the kind on occasion, but it
must be remembered that at the time
in which he lived cattle-llftlng 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 a military
life the occupations assigned to Rob
Roy We're of a more homely descrip-
tion. 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
neghbors by hordes of bandltti 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
tributad 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 a similar course Of
life, and received such blackmail from
many prOprletOrs 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 Finlarlg 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 fatlgued they lay down on the |
heather to rest till morning when one |
of them discovered a fire at some dis
tance. This he communicated to his /
companions, and they went on to recon
nOitre, when they found it was q band |
Of tinkers who had pitched a tent
close by, and were CarOusing. Their |
mlrth, however, was turned into ter
rOr when they beheld Rob Roy and |
bis party, as they little expected such
an intrusion in so secluded a 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
ternlty agreed to conduct his party to
the spot, for which .hey 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, conned by semi-circular
rocks, where the MacGregors overlook
them just as they were setting out.
Rob Roy charged them to stop at 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 a stout resistance,
and it was not until two were killed
and five more wounded that they gave
up the contest
Four Of Rob Roy's lads were sorely
wounded and one killed, and he him
self received n cut on the left arm
from the captain of the bandttl. The
booty, being thus recovered, was drV.
en- back and restored to the rightful
owner.
Rob Roy received great praise for his
exploit; and those who had not form
erly afforded him their countenance
were now anxious to contribute a do
nation Of blackmail.
During the reign Of that remarkable
bigot 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 a spectator. regretting that.
strong man though he was. he was
not powerful enough 10 crush down
the perpetrators.