Page:Life and exploits of Rob Roy M'Gregor (3).pdf/7

 them with such fury, that six of their number lay prostrate on the ground.— The rest made a stout resistance, but were soon overcome; two being killed, and five,wounded, they gave up the contest. Four of Roy’s lads were severely wounded, and himself received a cut on the left arm from the captain of the banditti. The booty thus recovered, was driven back, and restored to the rightful owner. Rob received great praise for this exploit; and many offered to contribute their donation of ‘black mail.’ This circumstance, no doubt tended to arouse the latent activity and courage of his mind.

The executive government not only sanctioned but enforced the exaction of ‘black mail:’ and all constables were commanded to see ‘this order put into execution, as they shall answer to the contrair,’ Rob Roy’s exaction of this tax was not therefore an unauthorized robbery, but sanctioned by custom and local institution. For some time too he was employed in assisting the officers of the neighbouring districts, in collecting imposts for maintaining the ‘Black Watch,’ a corpse of militia raised to protect the lives and property of the people, from marauding plunderers. This corps, from the celebrity they acquired, afterwards became regular troops, and