Page:Rob Roy, the celebrated Highland freebooter, or, Memoirs of the Osbaldistone family (2).pdf/13

 given him by Diana Vernon, which was not to be opened till within ten days of any emergency. Another letter was enclosed, which fell at the feet of the Bailie, who took it up, and, seeing it was addressed to Robert Campbell (the unknown stranger), he delivered it into his hands. Frank was confounded to recognise in his guide his old acquaintance the drover, and wondered what could be the purport of Miss Vernon's letter to him; but conjecturing that it might be sent to entreat Campbell to discover the retreat of Rashleigh, he was led to enquire where his kinsman was. Campbell gave an indirect answer, but requested Frank and the Bailie to meet him at the clachan of Aberfoyle, where he would disclose something that might be of service to them both, and he would pay Bailie Jarvie a thousand pounds Scots which he then owed him. After giving their consent to pay Rob a visit, they all left the prison, and Frank accompanied the Bailie to his house, where, being warned by him not to keep company wi' Hielandmen and thae wild cattle, he received an invitation to breakfast next morning, and then took his leave.

Next morning, Owen and Frank breakfasted with the Bailie, and in the course of conversation, Frank made some inquiries about Mr. Campbell. The Bailie said, that Rob, as he called him, had once been a Highland drover, but was now a gentleman, and commanded "thirty waur cattle;" and he declined entering farther into his history, saying, it was more necessary to examine his father's accounts. After putting on his spectacles, he looked into the ledger, and found that the sum which Osbaldistone and Company owed him was considerable; but, with great generosity, he said, that if he should lose by them, he had also gained, and therefore he would just "lay the head of the sow to the tail of the grice."

Meditating on his present prospects, and projecting schemes for his future conduct, Frank strolled first into the College, and then into a solitary adjoining walk, at the end of which he observed three men in earnest conversation. To his surprise, he found them to be Rashleigh, Macvittie, and Morris, the two last of whom went away, and afforded him an opportunity of accosting Rashleigh, who was much confused at the rencounter. Frank demanded an account of the property with which he had absconded, or to go before a magistrate; but as Rashleigh declined doing either, he insisted on satisfaction, and they retired to a more remote place to settle the quarrel with their swords. They fought with equal skill and courage for some time, until Frank's foot slipped, and then Rashleigh made a home-thrust at him, which grazed his ribs. The pain it occasioned made Frank furious, and grappling with his adversary, he was attempting to rnnrun [sic] him through the body, when they were stopt by the powerful arm of Campbell, who swore he would "cleave to the brisket