Anonymous

“ Rob Roy's birth, as a gentleman, and his respectable connexions, when he attained to manhood, procured him access to the first families, and admission into the best company in the country, He formed a matrimonial engagement with a daughter of M'Gregor of Comar, a woman of an agreeable temper and domestic habits, active and economical in the management of her family. ”

“ Sometimes the rich procured a mortgage bond upon the property of his needy neighbour; and this was generally turned into an authority to seize their lands by force. Glengyle was under a bond of this kind, when Rob Roy's nephew succeeded to it. Rob, knowing what advantage would be taken of the contract, gave his nephew the money. ”

“ Rob Roy devoted himself to the avocation of a grazier; as Highland cattle about this time began to be in great request in England, Rob made frequent journies for carrying on this traffic. When M'Gregor was fairly settled, and tacitly confirmed, as laird of Craigcrostan, his friendship became valuable, and was solicted by his wealthy neighbours. At this time the political variance between the families of Montrose and Argyle had grown into personal enmity ”

“ Graham of Killearn was factor on the estate of Montrose, and second cousin to that nobleman. Being in the constant practice of distressing those tenants who were in arrear, he was despised in the country. He had once sequestrated the goods and cattle of a poor widow for arrears of rent; when Rob heard of the cruelty, he went to her, and gave her the 300 merks she owed, at same time desiring her, when she paid it, to get a receipt. On the legal day, the officers appeared at the widow's house to take away her effects. She paid their demand; but Rob met them ”

“ The deadly work being completed, four of the soldiers seized the young woman, tied her hands and feet, and were carrying her towards the river to drown her, regardless of her tears and entreaties to save her. ”

“ Their opinions were unanimous, and a bond of faith and mutual support was signed. By the negligence of a chieftain to whom the bond was intrusted, it fell into the hands of Captain William Campbell of Glenlyon. When it was known that a man of such inhuman feelings held this bond, those who signed it were seriously alarmed, and various plans were suggested for recovering it. Rob Roy, with the clans, had also affixed his name; but on his own account he regarded neither the king nor his government. He was, however, urged by several chiefs to exert himself, and, if possible to recover the bond. ”