Historical memoirs of Rob Roy and the Clan Macgregor

MEMOIR OF ROB ROY. 151
the country. He had once sequestrated the
goods and cattle of a poor widow, for arrears of
rent, and when Rob Roy heard of the matter,
he went to her and gave her the 300 merks she
owed, at the same time desiring her when she
paid it to get a receipt. On the legal day the
officers of the law appeared at the widow's
house to take away her effects, when she paid
their demand ; but Rob Roy met them after
they left her, made them surrender the money
they had extorted, and gave them a good drub-
bing, with an advice never to act in the same
manner.
Under similar circumstances he relieved a
needy tenant on the same estate, who was defi-
cient in the rent of three years. When the
man afterwards offered to repay the loan, our
hero would not receive it, as he said he had got
it back from Killearn.
Feuds and violent conflicts of clans still con-
tinued prevalent, with all the animosity which
marked the rude character of the times ; and a
contest having arisen betwixt the houses of
Perth and Athol, Rob Roy was requested to
take part with the former. Though Perth
was no favourite with him, he readily agreed to
give his assistance, as a return for a good office,