Historical memoirs of Rob Roy and the Clan Macgregor

MEMOIR OF ROB ROY. I'll
country of yours." " The country is indeed rough for
gentlemen to travel in by night," replied our hero,
" your business must be pressing."
From the tenour of their conversation the officer found
he was sagacious and intelligent ; and having asked him
several questions, said — " Pray can you inform me where
a noted brigand, a fellow called Rob Roy Macgregor or
Campbell, is to be found hereabouts ? I would give fifty
guineas to lay hold of him." "I know him well," re-
turned Rob Roy, " and for the money you offer, I shall
produce him to you : but if you take my advice, do not
go nearer his house, which is only a short way off, other-
wise it is a chance if any of you will ever return, for his
lads are numerous, and always so placed in ambush round
his dwelling, that you will all be shot without seeing a
man. He must be inveigled by stratagem, and if you
follow my directions, I shall give you him by the hand in
a short time, without firing a shot." " But how is that
to be accomplished ?" said the officer. " Only in one
way," replied our hero ; " you passed a public house not
far distant, return to it, and wait for me. I shall go to
the fellow's house, and tell him such a story as will bring
him alone to the inn : but great caution must be used, for
he is one of the most fierce and cunning men in the world,
whom, in his rage, I would not face with all your men by
my side."
The soldiers listened, and seemed happy when they
were ordered to wheel about for the inn, where they soon
arrived, while Rob Roy proceeded to his own house.
He directed his men to assemble all the people within
reach, and place them on the side of the hill in battle
array ; and having buckled on his dirk, which he concealed
under his plaid, he walked on to fulfil his engagement.