Page:Rob Roy, the celebrated Highland freebooter, or, Memoirs of the Osbaldistone family (2).pdf/14

 the first that minted another stroke." After trying in vain to bring about a reconciliation between them, Campbell forcibly dis- engaged Frank's hand from his antagionist's collar, and desired Rashleigh to leave them. At departing, Rashleigh said, that as the quarrel had rot been settled, they would meet again at some future opportunity; and Frank was for following him but Campbell mentioned that Rashleigh had engaged Morris to renew his accusation against him for the robbery, therefore Frank thought it prudent to desist. Campbell warned him to keep out of the sight of Rashleigh, Morris, and Macvittie, and then, after renewing his invitation to visit him at the clachan of Aberfoyle, he went away.

Frank called at an apothecary's to get his wound dressed, and then went to dine with the Bailie. Frank related his meeting with Rashleigh, and mentioned what he had learned from Campbell; to which the Bailie and Owen listened with amazement. He then asked the worthy magistrate's advice regarding the propriety and safety of visiting Campbell. The Bailie, highly pleased at being consulted, thought that it would be advisable, that Frank should leave Glasgow for a while; and described the Highlanders as an uncivilized and lawless set: That Robert Campbell alias Rob Roy Macgregor, was once a great drover, or grazer and dealer in cattle, a business followed by gentlemen of property in the Highlands, and had by his bold speculations suffered some severe losses, which so reduced him that he became a levier of the black-mail, a customary tributary tax, imposed by those lawless depredators, of four pounds Scots on one hundred pounds of vauled rent, to secure property from Skaith, or to recover any cattle that were stolen: That any one refusing to pay this tribute was certain of being plundered by Rob, who could raise five hundred men, all devoted to his service; and that, although Morris suspected him of the robbery, he was afraid to accuse him. The Bailie added, That as Frank's father, had granted bills for a great quantity of wood bought in the Highlands, which he had no means of retiring, unless the assets and money carried off by Rashleigh to some of the Highland haulds could be recovered, and that it was in Rob Roy's power to dedo [sic] this if he liked; but as this could not be done in time to save his father's credit, that he had got three individuals in Glasgow to advance a sum sufficient for the purpose. The Bailie undertook to accompany Frank to Aberfoyle, where, by representing the matter to Rob, who had a good heart, he hoped, through his means, to gain possession of it.

Accordingly, next morning, at five o'clock, he was equipped in his trot-cosey, jack-boots, and other riding-gear, ready to mount, when Frank arrived at his door. After some delay, occasioned by the knavery of Andrew Fairservice, and by the