The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-27

blackstone.
Rashleigh. in short, had finally con-
sidered that his interests lay with the
side of the government. and that he
could get more by betraying his friends
than by serving them longer.
The fight in the defile was bloody but
short. Foremost in 1t appeared the
stern and towering form of the High
land chieftainess, Helen McGregor,
whose hands, when the battle was
done, were fiecked with blood, as was
the claymore she welded.
Taking advantage OF the confusion
of the conflict. Frank and the Baille
had sought places OF safety, but they
were soon discovered by the clansmen
and dragged before the wife of Rob
Roy. who raging like a lioness. COM
manded at first that they be-tied neck
and heels and thrown into the little
lake which was uncomfortably handy
for the operation.
The Bailiie's claim Of kinship would
have stood them in little stead. but
Dugald protested that they had come
to the Highlands upon Rob Roy's safe
conduct and he proposed to throw such
of the -redcoats as had escaped slaught-
er into the loch in their place.
While the matter was being debated
there was heard the sound of bag
pipes approaching, playing not strain
of triumph but wild Highland wall
1t was Rob Roy's two sons returning
with the rest Of the clan from the ia
tai snare which, had been set for the
chieftain by Rashieigh Osbaldstone.
Their father was not with them.
At the place appointed by Rashlelgh
they had met u messenger, who an
nounced that a body of government
troops was near by whose commander
was ready to join the Stuart cause and
who summoned McGregor to visit him
for a conference. Rob Roy went to the
camp Of the enemy. while the messen-
ger, who was none other than Morris,
was detained by~Rob Roy's people as a
hostage for the safety of their chief.
Rob Roy had not returned.
Helen poured reproaches on her sons
for not having attempted the rescue of
their father though the whole kings
army had stood in the way. Turning
a fierce look on the groveling and
pleading Morris she commanded that
Loeb. The wretched creatures cries
were UNDECIDED. With frightfuI
Shrek of fear and horror he disap-
peared beneath the waters of the lake.
Both Frank and the Baillie had pro-
tested. but Helen told them they were
fortunate IL they did not meet a like
fate. Her fury being somewhat satiat-
ed, she commanded Frank to go as an
envoy to the camp of the Duke of
Athol. near Stirling, whittier, 1t was
supposed. Rob Roy had been taken, and
demand his release on the penalty of
the killing of every one of her prison
ers and Of fire and sword on the sur
, rounding region.
Guided by Dugald. Frank proceeded
to within sight of the Dukes camp,
and then alone, save for Andrew Fair
service, sought an audience of the COM
mander.
it was true that Rob Roy was
prisoner in the camp; and the Duke
declared that though the McGregors do
their worst. the cateran should
hang"
The command changed it's camp that
evening, and Frank found from the
manner in which he was invited to ac-
company the party that he himself was
considered a prisoner. On the march
to the new encampment river had TO
be forded. Frank caught sight OF the
chieftain strapped behind a mounted
soldier and surrounded by guards. But
this soldier was a Highlander, and
when his horse was In mid-strearn the
leather band was loosed swiftly and
McGregor slipped into the water ana
made good his escape.
There was great confusion, much
riding and running along the banks ana
in the water itself, where the soldiers
urged their steeds. but no recapturtng
Of Rob Roy.
In the excitement. Frank escaped in-
10 a thicket and under cover OF the
closing night took the direction of
Aberfoii as well as he could conceive
1t, He could not abandon the BafAe In
the hands of Helen and II Rob had not
been drowned he knew he would soon
be back in his own country and the
business on which he had tlrst adven-
tured into those wild regions might yet
be contaminated.
Late in the night he struck a sort Of
rude bridle-path. Soon he heard behind
him the sound OF two horsemen. To
keep his courage UP, or TO show his
bravado, he began to whistle an old
tune he had heard sung at Osbaldistone
Hall Vast was his surprise as the
horsemen neared him to hear the tune
taken up by the younger OF them. Then
a horse stopped beside him and a dear
voice he knew well said; Mr.. Frank
Osbaldistone should not whistle his ia
vorite airs when he wishes to remain
undiscovered"
1t was Diana Vernon. dressed in mas
culine attire Tho elder horseman. who
had refined in his steed at little dis
lance. babe her to be quick. that no
time was to be wasted. She leaned from
her saddle and placed In Franks hand
the packet OF money which had been
carried of by Rashleigh and which she
had managed to force from him