Page:Life and exploits of Rob Roy M'Gregor (3).pdf/9

 laird of Kilmannan. This person was succeeded by a son, who courted a daughter of the laird of Leny; but Rob Roy, from what cause is not known, raised suspicions against him in the mind of the young lady, who in consequence rejected her lover.— He then paid his addresses to a daughter of Colquhoun of Luss, and their marriage day was fixed, when Rob again interfered, and Miss Colquhoun also refused to fulfil her engagement. Enraged at such treatment, the young chieftain went to Falkirk, where he married a woman of mean extraction, which so displeased his friends, that they no longer regarded him as their connexion. By this treatment, the young man was so disgusted with his clan, that he gave up his estate to Rob Roy, and leaving his country, was never more heard of.

Rob Roy devoted himself to the avocation of a graizer; and as Highland cattle about this time began to be in great request in England, Rob made frequent journeys for carrying on this traffic. When M‘Gregor was fairly settled, and tacitly confirmed, as laird of Craigcroston, this friendship became valuable, and was solicited by his wealthy neighbours. At this time the policital variance between the families of Montrose and Argyle had grown