Page:Life and exploits of Rob Roy M'Gregor (2).pdf/10

 requent journies for carrying on this traffic. When M'Gregor was fairly setled, and facitly confirmed, as laird of Craigcrostan, his friendship became valuable, & was solicited by his wealthy neighhours. At this time the political variance between the families of Montrose and Argyle had grown into personal emnity: this induced each of them to court the favour of Rob Roy, whose personal prowess & daring spirit, rendered him a desirable auxiliary, or a formidable enemy.

Montrose, to gain the confidence, and secure the friendship of M'Gregor made a proposal to enter into copartnery with him in the tread of cattle-dealing, a plan in which he readily acquiesced. Montrose accordingly advanced Rob 1000 merks (about 601 sterling) who was also expected to lay out a similar sum, & the profits were to be divided. Argyle also laboured to form an alliance with Rob, hoping that from his resolute bra- very and local situation, he would be a source of constant annoyance to Montrose. Besides, he might suppose that Rob Roy had evinced a friendly disposition by assuming the name of Campbell, that of M'Gregor being under prescription. But though Rob had chosen