he should send his forces to the attack, "If they
cannot do it without me, they cannot do it with me," and he immediately
left the field. Such is the popular account of his conduct on that
occasion.

The partizans of Rob Roy have, however, given a very different version
of his conduct. The Duke of Argyle was the patron and friend of
Macgregor; and he could neither, therefore, openly adopt a course which
the Duke disapproved, nor would he altogether retire from a cause to
which he was disposed to be favourable. With the true Gaelic caution Rob
Roy waited to see which side prevailed, and then hastened to avail
himself of an opportunity of that which had become the darling pursuit
of his existence--plunder.

He retired from Sherriff Muir to Falkland, carrying terror wherever he
passed.

* * * * *

The following letter, descriptive of his progress affords a curious
picture of the state of that harassed and wretched country:--

"D. B.

"I received yours this evening, but I find you have been quit
mistaken about our condition. You datt our freedom and libertie from
the rebels long befor its commencement, and for profe take the
folowing accompt of what past heir these last ten days. Upon the
fourth instant Rob Roey, with one hundred and fifty men, com to
Falkland, and took possession of the place for a garrison, from
which they came through the countrey side and robs and plunder,
taking cloaths and victuals, and every thing that maks for them, nor
to oposs them till this day eight days. The sixth instant there coms
thirty-two Highland men (I had almost said devils) to Leslie; we saw
them at Formand Hills and resolved to resist, and so man, wife, and
child drew out.

"The men went to the east end of the town, and met them in the green
with drawn swords in the hands, and we askt them what they were for;
they said they wanted cloaths and money; we answeared they should
get neither of them heir, at which they stormed and swore terribly,
and we told them if they were come for mischeif they should have
thee fill of it; at which ther were some blows. But they seeing us
so bold, they began to feear that we should fall upon them, and so
they askt libertie to march through the town, which we granted, but
withall told them if they went upon the least house in the town,
ther should never a man go back to Fac