Historical memoirs of Rob Roy and the Clan Macgregor

I 30 MEMOIR OF ROB ROY.
When Macgregor was fairly settled, and
tacitly confirmed as laird of Craigcrostan, he
was still a young man, and he was naturally
elated with an acquisition that gave him some
consequence in his country. Montrose, his near
neighbour, foreseeing the necessity of gaining
his confidence, made a proposition to enter into
copartnery with him in the trade of cattle deal-
ing, a plan in which he readily acquiesced.
Being considered a good judge of cattle, and a
successful drover, Montrose had every reliance
on his abilities. He accordingly advanced Rob
Roy 1000 merks (about £50 sterling), he being
also expected to lay out a similar sum, while the
profits were to be divided : but this was not
the only pecuniary transaction which took place
betwixt them, for Montrose, at different times,
gave him money on the security of his estate.
About this time, Highland cattle were in
great request in England, and to that country
Rob Roy was in the habit of making frequent
journeys for carrying on this traffic. During
these excursions to the south, from his obliging
disposition, lively conversation, and strict regard
to his word, which no consideration could induce
him to violate, he gained the esteem of all who
knew, or did business with him.