Historical memoirs of Rob Roy and the Clan Macgregor

MEMOIR OF ROB ROY. 79
no doubt of his being the person they sought. There was
no time for reply, and they sprung up the hill, followed
by the troopers. Rob Roy rapidly gained the higher
ground, where neither the horses nor fire of the riders
could touch him ; but his companions were not so lucky,
as they were overtaken, and, in defending themselves,
were killed. Being exasperated at this, he fired upon
the troopers in return, and killed three of them and four
of their horses, when the remainder galloped away.
Having continued to wander from place to place, some-
what forlorn, though not broken in spirit, he became
solicitous about the safety of his family, and went to see
them privately. Some days before his arrival, a message
from the duke of Athol was sent to his house, requesting
a visit from him at Blair castle. But Rob Roy, though
he believed that Athol had then no deadly enmity towards
him, did not incline to trust himself in such hands without
some written assurance of his personal safety. He there-
fore wrote to Athol, wishing to have his commands, and
candidly stated his want of confidence in his Grace. Athol,
who had previously corresponded with the court regarding
the most effectual plan of securing our hero, immediately
replied to his letter, and gave him the most solemn pro-
mises of protection, saying that he only wanted to have
some conversation with him on certain political points.
This letter was followed by an embassy, who gave even
more positive assurances that no evil was intended, and
delivered to him a protection from the government, when
our hero consented, and fixed a day for being at Blair.
He accordingly set out on horseback, attended by a servant,
and on his arrival, Athol ran to embrace him, protesting
he knew not how to express the joy he felt at the sight
of so brave a gentleman ; but, as his duchess would not