Trials of James, Duncan, and Robert M'Gregor, three sons of the celebrated Rob Roy

Ixxv
resolved to make the unhappy disclosure.
Rob Roy was solicited to interpose, in order
to prevent this fatal step. He proceeded
accordingly to Fort William ; but upon his
arrival he learned from Glenlyon, that he had
already put the document into the hands of
Governor Hill, who was to send it by a
messenger, escorted by an ensign's party, to
the privy council. Rob, on getting this in-
telligence, took his measures accordingly. He
lay in wait for the messenger in a sequestered
place ; surprised, and with the assistance of
his followers, overcame the military escort, —
got possession of the fatal dispatch, and thus
saved the lives and estates of many of his
countrymen.
The animosity of the adventurer to the
Athole family was implacable : He ravaged
their country, and sacrificed the inhabitants
to his revenge. The Earl of Athole, provok-
ed by his reiterated insults, mustered his
power, and succeeded in seizing the bandit in
his own house, when he put him on horseback
to be carried under a sure escort to Stirling.
But while the cavalcade was passing through
a narrow defile, Rob availed himself of his op-
portunity, sprung from off the horse on which
he had been forcibly mounted, darted up the
adjoining hill with the rapidity of lightning,