Page:Life and exploits of Rob Roy M'Gregor (3).pdf/21

 was Blairdrummond, the factor, whom he knocked down, without uttering a word, and walked on to the gate. Perth, who saw this from a window, came out and gave him a cordial welcome.— ‘Perth, I want no show of hospitality; I insist only to get back the tack of which my namesake has been deprived, otherwise I will let loose my legions on your property.’— Perth was obliged to comply. The lease was restored, and Rob sat down and breakfasted with Earl.

Graham of Killearn was factor on the estate of Montrose, and second cousin to that nobleman. Being in the constant practice of distressing those tenants who were in arrear, he was despised in the country. He had once sequestrated the goods and cattle of a poor widow for arrears of rent; when Rob heard of the cruelty, 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 appeared at the widow’s house to take away her effects. She paid their demand; but Rob met them; made them surrender their money they had extorted; gave them a good drubbing, and an advice never again to act in the same manner.

Sometimes the rich procured a mortgage