Historical memoirs of Rob Roy and the Clan Macgregor

40 HISTORICAL MEMOIRS OF
to raise a " Creach" plunder of goods or cattle, from
lands in Appin of Dul, belonging to Sir Alexander
Menzies of that ilk. Menzies, for this wanton attack,
demanded restitution of Braidalbane, which being refused,
with the earl's equivocal manners, and habits of dis-
simulation, the knight commenced an action for spoliation
against him. The earl, from his recent elevation to
nobility, perceived the danger of his situation, had he
acknowledged being the instigator of the outrage on
Menzies's property ; and with his usual subtlety and dis-
regard of truth, he declared that his tenant Macgregor
had acted unlawfully, and without his knowledge in the
foray, and that he would speedily deliver him up to
justice. When we consider the subsequent conduct of
this nobleman, as to the part he acted in the dastardly
massacre of Glencoe, and the duplicity he practised upon
his coadjutors of the cabinet, the instance of his perfidy
now to be stated, will perhaps not excite surprise.
Braidalbane, after the successful inroad of Macgregor, in-
vited him to his house at Ballach, now Taymouth, and
expressed his obligation to him. Some time thereafter,
when he was accused by Menzies, and likely to be dis-
graced, he again sent for Macgregor, to whom he still
owned his thanks, and made him sit down to a refresh-
ment ; but the earl had previously concealed a party of
soldiers behind a bed in the room, who, at a certain signal,
sprung upon Macgregor, made him a prisoner, and imme-
diately carried him towards Edinburgh. Another of the
clan Gregor, Macgregor of Inverardrain, although he had
formerly been at variance with Duncan, determined to
rescue him ; and for that purpose, followed the party to
Falkland, which they reached the first night. The
prisoner, however, advised his friend to desist and return