Page:Life and exploits of Rob Roy M'Gregor (3).pdf/15

 authors of his misfortunes. His first act of hostility against Montrose was at a term, when he knew the tenantry of that nobleman were to pay their rents. He and his men called upon them, and obliged them to give him the money, for which, however he granted them acknowledgements, ‘that it was received on account of Montrose.’

In this compulsitory manner he levied the rents from the tenants for several years; and Montrose, conscious, perhaps, that he had taken undue advantage of Rob Roy, seemed to overlook the matter until a subsequent occasion, when the factor was collecting his rents at Chapellaroch in Stirlingshire. Rob Roy had given out some days before by proclamation at the church door, that he had gone to Ireland; and the factor subsequently concluded that he would meet with no interruption in his duty. Towards evening, however, Rob Roy placed his men in a wood in the neighbourhood, and went himself, with his piper playing before him, to the inn of Chapellaroch, where Killearn was, attended by several gentlemen of the vicinity. Alarmed at the sound of the pipes, they started up to discover from whence it proceeded; and Killearn, in great consternation, beheld Rob Roy approaching the door.