Historical memoirs of Rob Roy and the Clan Macgregor

THE CLAN MACGREGOR. 63
Macdonalds from the consequences of this
deed.
James the Sixth, at this time, being married
by proxy to Anne of Denmark, — "his Majesty's
dearest spouse," — her arrival in Scotland was
daily expected ; and the king, desirous to en-
tertain his queen and her foreign suite in the
most sumptuous manner, ordered Lord Drum-
mond of Perth, who was styled Stewart of
Strathearn, and principal forester of Glenartney,
to provide venison upon the occasion ; it was
while thus employed that his substitute was
killed, as has just been stated.
Greatly enraged at this outrage, executed in
seeming contempt of his feelings and authority,
James and his council forthwith issued a denun-
ciation of fire and sword against the clan Gregor,
though it is believed that the order was granted
on false information, furnished by their vindic-
tive neighbours, who contemplated their over-
throw, and who maliciously conjoined their
name with the Macdonalds, who were the real
authors of the murder, in consequence of the
vow said to have been taken in the kirk of Bal-
quhidder. But the decree was proclaimed with
thoughtless and precipitate credulity, and de-
clared that — "Ye cruel and mischievous pro-