Rob Roy

by Walter Dill Scott

  ``Robert Campbell.''

  No. V.---LETTER.

  ESCAPE OF ROB ROY FROM THE DUKE OF ATHOLE.

  The following copy of a letter which passed from one clergyman of the Church of Scotland to another, was communicated to me by John Gregorson, Esq. of Ardtornish. The escape of Rob Roy is mentioned, like other interesting news of the time with which it is intermingled. The disagreement between the Dukes of Athole and Argyle seems to have animated the former against Rob Roy, as one of Argyle's partisans.

  ``Rev. and dear Brother,

  Yrs of the 28th Jun I had by the bearer. Im pleased yo have got back again yr Delinquent which may probably safe you of the trouble of her child. I'm sory I've yet very little of certain news to give you from Court tho' I've seen all the last weekes prints, only I find in them a pasage which is all the account I can give you of the Indemnity yt when the estates of forfaulted Rebells Comes to be sold all Just debts Documented are to be preferred to Officers of the Court of enquiry. The Bill in favours of that Court against the Lords of Session in Scotland in past the house of Commons and Come before the Lords which is thought to be considerably more ample yn formerly wt respect to the Disposeing of estates Canvassing and paying of Debts. It's said yt the examinations of Cadugans accounts is droped but it wants Confirmations here as yet. Oxford's tryals should be entered upon Saturday last. We hear that the Duchess of Argyle is wt child. I doe not hear yt the Divisions at Court are any thing abated or of any appearance of the Dukes having any thing of his Maj: favour. I heartily wish the present humours at Court may not prove an encouragmt to watchfull and restles enemies.

  My accounts of Rob Roy his escape are yt after severall Embassies between his Grace (who I hear did Correspond wt some at Court about it) and Rob he at length upon promise of protectione Came to waite upon the Duke & being presently secured his Grace sent post to Edr to acquent the Court of his being aprehended & call his friends at Edr and to desire a party from Gen Carpinter to receive and bring him to Edr which party came the length of Kenross in Fife, he was to be delivered to them by a party his Grace had demanded from the Governour at Perth, who when upon their march towards Dunkell to receive him, were mete wt and returned by his Grace having resolved to deliver him by a party of his own men and left Rob at Logierate under a strong guard till yt party should be ready to receive him. This space of time Rob had Imployed in taking the other dram heartily wt the Guard & qn all were pretty hearty, Rob is delivering a letter for his wife to a servant to whom he most needs deliver some private instructions at the Door (for his wife) where he's attended wt on the Guard. When serious in this privat Conversations he is making some few steps carelessly from the Door about the house till he comes close by this horse which he soon mounted and made off. This is no small mortifican to the guard because of the delay it give to there hopes of a Considerable additionall charge agt John Roy.* my wife was upon

  * i.e. John the Red---John Duke of Argyle, so called from his complexion, more * commonly styled ``Red John the Warriour.''

  Thursday last delivered of a Son after sore travell of which she still continues very weak. I give yl Lady hearty thanks for the Highland plaid. It's good cloath but it does not answer the sett I sent some time agae wt McArthur & tho it had I told in my last yt my wife was obliged to provid herself to finish her bed before she was lighted but I know yt letr came not timely to yr hand------I'm sory I had not mony to send by the bearer having no thought of it & being exposed to some little expenses last week but I expect some sure occasion when order by a letter to receive it. excuse this freedom from &c.

  ``Manse of Comrie, July 2d, 1717.

  ``I salute yr lady I wish my . . . . . . . . . . . . her Daughter much Joy.''

  No. VI.---HIGHLAND WOOING.

  There are many productions of the Scottish Ballad Poets upon the lion-like mode of wooing practised by the ancient Highlanders when they had a fancy for the person (or property) of a Lowland damsel. One example is found in Mr. Robert Jamieson's Popular Scottish Songs:---

  Bonny Babby Livingstone Gaed out to see the kye, And she has met with Glenlyon, Who has stolen her away.

  He took free her her sattin coat, But an her si1ken gown, Syne roud her in his tartan plaid, And happd her round and roun'.

  In another ballad we are told how---

  Four-and-twenty Hieland men, Came doun by Fiddoch Bide, And they have sworn a deadly aith, Jean Muir suld be a bride:

  And they have sworn a deadly aith, Ilke man upon his durke, That she should wed with Duncan Ger, Or they'd make bloody works.

  This last we have from tradition, but there are many others in the collections of Scottish Ballads to the same purpose.

  The achievement of Robert Oig, or young Rob Roy, as the Lowlanders called him, was celebrated in a ballad, of which there are twenty different and various editions. The tune is lively and wild, and we select the fol- lowing words from memory:---

  Rob Roy is frae the Hielands come, Down to the Lowland border; And he has stolen that lady away, To haud his house in order.

  He set her on a milk-white steed, Of none he stood in awe; Untill they reached the Hieland hills, Aboon the Balmaha'!*

  * A pass on the eastern margin of Loch Lomond, and an entrance to the Highlands.

  Saying, Be content, be content, Be content with me, lady; Where will ye find in Lennox land, Sae braw a man as me, lady?

  Rob Roy he was my father called, MacGregor was his name, lady; A' the country, far and near, Have heard MaeGregor's fame, lady.

  He was a hedge about his friends, A heckle to his foes, lady; If any man did him gainsay, He felt his deadly blows, lady.

  I am as bold, I am as bold, I am as bold and more, lady; Any man that doubts my word, May try my gude claymore, lady.

  Then be content, be content. Be content with me, lady; For now you are my wedded wife, Until the day you die, lady.

  No. VI---GHLUNE DHU.

  The following notices concerning this Chief fell under the Author's eye while the sheets were in the act of going through the press. They occur in manuscript memoirs, written by a person intimately acquainted with the incidents of 1745.

  This Chief had the important task intrusted to him of defending the Castle of Doune, in which the Chevalier placed a garrison to protect his communication with the Highlands, and to repel any sallies which might be made from Stirling Castle---Ghlune Dhu distinguished himself by his good conduct in this charge.

  Ghlune Dhu is thus described:---``Glengyle is, in person, a tall handsome man, and has more of the mien of the ancient heroes than our modern fine gentlemen are possessed of. He is honest and disinterested to a proverb ---extremely modest---brave and intrepid---and born one of the best partisans in Europe. In short, the whole people of that country declared that never did men live under so mild a government as Glengyle's, not a man having so much as lost a chicken while he continued there.''

  It would appear from this curious passage, that Glengyle---not Stewart of Balloch, as averred in a note on Waverley---commanded the garrison of Doune. Balloch might, no doubt, succeed MacGregor in the situation.

  GLOSSARY OF CERTAIN SCOTCH WORDS AND PHRASES, AS APPLIED IN ROB ROY.

  Aiblins, perhaps. Aik, oak. Airn, iron. Aits, oats. An, if. Andrea Ferrara, Highland broadsword. Auldfarran, sagacious.

  Bailie, a Scotch magistrate. Bairn, a child. Ban, curse. Barkit aik snag, barked oak stick. Barkit, tanned. Barm, yeast. Bawbee, halfpenny. Baudron, a cat, Bent, the moor or hill-side. Bicker, a wooden vessel. Bicker, to throw stones, to quarrel. Bide, wait. Bield, shelter. Bigging, building. Bike, nest. Birkie, lively fellow. Birl, toss. Bittock, more than a bit. Blether, rattling nonsense. Blether, to spout nonsense. Blythe, happy, Boddle, a farthing. Bogle, ghost, scarecrow, Bole, an aperture. Bonnie, pretty. Braw, fine, brave. Breeks, breeches Brig, bridge. Brocan, Gaelic for porridge, Brogue, Highland shoe. Brose, a sort of pottage. Brownie, ghost.

  Callant, a lad Caller, fresh. Calm sough, a quiet mind or tongue. Canny, quiet, sensible.
Cannelmas, Scotch term, 2d February. Cateran, a robber. Caunle, candle. Caup, a shell. Chack, sneck. Chap, strike. Chappin, choppin, a liquid measure. Chiel, a fellow. Chimley, chimney. Chuckie-stanes, small pebbles. Clachan, Gaelic, village. Clash, scandal Claut, clot. Clavers, gossip, scandal. Clerkit, written. Cloot, a rag, cloth. Codlings, baking apples. Cogue, wooden vessel. Coost, cast. Corbie, crow. Coup, upset. Cowe, stalk. Crack, to gossip, jaw. Craig, the neck. Creagh, Gaelic, pillage. Creel, basket. Crouse, confident, cheery. Crowdy, a sort of pottage made of oat-meal. Cuitle up, tickle up, to do for. Curle, a fellow. Curlie-Wurlie, twisting.

  Daffin', frolicking. Daft, crazy. Daiker, (toil) up the gate (way). Darn, conceal. Deil's ower Jock Wabster, all to the devil. Ding, pull down. Dirdum, an ado. Divot, a turf. Dour, stubborn. Dourlach, Gaelic, satchel. Douse, quiet. Dew, can. Downa, do not like. Dree, to suffer. Duinhewassel, Gaelic, gentleman.

  Een, eyes. E'en, evening. Ettle, intend.

  Fa', Highland, who. Fashious, troublesome. Fa'ard, favoured. Feal, faithful. Feck, part. Ferlie, wonderful. Fizzinless, tasteless, useless. Flae, flea. Fleech, wheedle. Fleg, fright. Fley, frighten. Flit, remove. Flow-moss, wet moss. Flyte, scold. Forbye, besides. Forfoughen, blown, breathless. Forgather, make friends with, take up with. Forpit, fourth part of a peck. Fozy, soft. Fushionless, tasteless, useless.

  Gabble, absurd talk. Galla Glass, an armed retainer--- ``---The merciless Macdonald ---From the Western Isles Of Kernes and Gallowglasses is supplied.'' Macbeth, Act I., Scene 2. Gang-there-out, wandering. Gar, make, oblige. Gash, sour-looking. Gate, way, manner. Gauger, exciseman. Gaun, going. Gillie, Highland foot-boy. Gilravaging, devouring. Gleed, twisted. Gleg, quick, active. Gliff, an instant. Glisk, a spark. Gloamin, twilight. Gloom, a frown. Glower, gaze. Glum, sour-looking. Gomeril, fool, lout. Gowd, gold. Gowk, fool. Gree, agree. Greet, cry, weep. Grew, shiver. Grewsome, ill-omened, bitter. Grieve, a bailiff, or steward. Gudeman, husband, head of the house. Guide, use, employ.

  Ha niel Sassenach (corrupt Gaelic), I have no English. Ha nun Gregarach (corrupt Gaelic), It is a MacGregor. Haggis, a Scotch pudding of minced meat, oatmeal, etc. Hail, whole. Hallion, rascal Harns, brains. Harst, harvest. Haud, hold. Hantle, a number of Her, Highland, my. Her-nainsel, Highland, myself. Hership, plunder. het, hot. Hinderlans, buttocks. Hosenet, a small net used for rivulet fishing; also an entanglement or confusion. Hough, thigh, ham. Howe, hollow. Howlet, owl. Hurdies, buttocks. Hussy, jade.

  Ilk, each. Ingan, onion. Ivy-tod, ivy-bush

  Jalouse, suspect. Jannock, bannock. Joctaleg, clasp-knife. Joseph, a riding cloak. Jouk, (dive) and let the jaw (wave) go by.

  Kail through the Reek, the soup through the smoke: to suffer reproof, blame, or retribution. Kail-yard, cabbage-garden. Kale, greens, sometimes broth. Kaim, comb. Kemp, strive and fight. Ken, know. Kerne, a retainer or gillie. Kraem, a stall or shop, Kyloes, Highland cattle. Kythe, seem.

  Lassock, girl. Lave, the remainder. Lawing, reckoning. Limmer, jade. Loon, fellow. Loup, leap. Luckie, goodie! addressed to a woman. Lug, the ear.

  Malison, curse. Manse, house, parsonage. Maun, must. Maw, to mow. Mense, sense. Mint, aim, intend. Mistryst, disappoint, deceive. Moul, the sod. Muckle, much. Mutch, cap.

  Napery, table-linen. Natheless, nevertheless. Nowte, black cattle.

  Opensteek, open stich. Opine, suppose, presume. Orra, odd. Ower, over. Owsen, oxen.

  Paiks, chastisement, a kicking. Parochine, parish. Parritch, porridge. Pat, pot. Peers, pears. Pirn, a reel. Plack, third of a penny. Pliskie, trick. Pock, a poke, bag. Pock-neuk, one's own means or exertions. Pootry, poultry. Pow, head. Pretty, Highland, brave, smart. Provost, a Scotch Mayor.

  Quean, a flirt. Queez madan, a French pear.

  Rathe, ready, quick. Rax, stretch. Redd, clear up. Reek, smoke. Reft, seized. Reisted, roasted, smoked. Reive, to break, pillage. Roose, praise. Roup, auction.

  Sark, a shirt. Sau, sow. Scart, a cormorant. Sea-maw, a gall. Searcher, a town officer. Sell o't, itself. Ser'ing, serving. Shanks, legs. Shaw, a green blade. She, Highland, I or he. Shear, clip, cut, reap. Sic, such. Siller, money. Skart, scratch. Skirl, scream. Skreigh, scream. Skyte, a wretched fellow. Slabber, froth. Slink, worthless. Smaik, a fool, or spoon. Sneckdrawer, a sly cunning person. Snell, sharp, severe, terrible. Snag, a stick, branch. Soothfast, honest. Sough, sigh. Spang, to spring. Sparry-grass, asparagus. Speer, enquire. Splore, a row. Sporran, Gaelic, purse. Spreagh, cattle-lifting. Spune, a spoon. Steek, shut. Steer, molest. Stibbler, a poor preacher. Stint, stop. Stot, a bullock. Stoup, a liquid measure. Strae, straw. Sybo, a kind of onion, or raddish. Syne, since, ago.

  Tae, the one. Tass, a glass, cup, Tatty, potato. Thrang, thronged, busy. Thrapple, throat. Thraw, thwart, twist. Through-gaun, a down-setting. Thrum, a story. Toom, empty. Tow, a rope. Troke, transact, dabble witlb. Trotcosie, riding-hood. Troth, truth! sure! Trow, trust. Tuilzie, scuffle. Tup, a ram. Twal, twelve.

  Unco, very particularly. Unco think, a sad thing. Usquebaugh, Gaelic, whisky.

  Vivers, victuals.

  Wabster, a weaver. Wally draigh, a feeble person. Wame, belly, hollow. Wappin, stout, clever. Warstle, wrestle. Waur, worse. Wean, an infant. Wee, little. Weird, destiny. Weise, guide. Wheen, a few. Wigmaleerie, gimcrack. Whilk, which. Whin, gorse. Whummle, turn over. Will to Cupar maun to Cupar, a wilful man must have his way. Winnle, turning frame. Wud, mad. Wuddie, gallows-rope. Wuss, wish. Wyte, blame.

  Yill, ale.

  ------------------------------------------------------------

  This electronic transcription of Scott's `Rob Roy' is based on the Centenary Edition of the Waverley Novels, published in 1870 by Adam & Charles Black, Edinburgh, and printed by R. Clark, Edinburgh.

  * The following changes have been made to the text:

  Page divisions and column titles have been removed.

  All end-of-line hyphenation have been removed, and the de- hyphenated words placed at the end of the first line. The guide for whether to keep or remove the hyphen has been the text itself.

  Internal page references (mainly references to the appendixes to the introduction) have been removed.

  The following misprints have been corrected:

  p. 97, l.-10: ... thy cousin Thornie, ... (was: Cousin) p. 115, l. 3: ...sons---daughters... (was: danghters) p. 156, l. 23: writing Tristia.'' (missing quotes) p. 172, l.-11: gentleman,'' I said, ``I (missing quotes) p. 328, l.-1:---``You are, I suppose (missing quotes) p. 350, l. 2: Mrs. MacGregor Campbell (was: Mac-Gregor) p. 360, l. 32: to set out directly. I took (was: directly.'') p. 361m l. 7: ... she said; ``for (missing quotes) p. 411, l.23: such a subject. (was: subject.'') p. 415, l.24: as this narrative now does. (was: narative)

  p. 413, l.20:''---and Andrew hated conceit---`` (was: missing quotes?)

  This sentence seems to read better with quotes than without. Scott seems to use that kind of construction for parenthetical remarks, so it seems a reasonable correction.

  * Some oddities, left for future textual archaeologists:

  Craig Royston vs. Craig-Royston Loch Ard vs. Loch-Ard Benlomond vs. Ben Lomond trot-cosey vs. trotcosie (glossary) kraemes vs. kraem (glossary)

  dhuinewassell vs. duinh'ewassel vs. duinhewassel

  The first may be a misprint for one of the other forms.

  * Markup:

  The following markup has been added:

  Each paragraph begins with two spaces indentation.

  --- indicates an em dash. Longer sequences represent correspondingly longer dashes.

  a: a umlaut a` a grave ae ae ligature e' e acute a` e grave e^ e circumflex i: i dieresis l l superscript ll ll superscript L Pounds sterling m m superscript n n suprescript oe oe ligature r r superscript rs rs superscript s s superscript t t superscript

  * footnote

  Revision history:

  Version: 1.0 1995-04-03 Version: 1.1 1995-09-15 Some extra spaces removed, one mistranscription Version: 1.2 1996-11-04 Moved text to correct place, added advertisement and introduction

  FB2 docume
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  Document ID: 39fc5edc-9fd0-48c7-af55-39acb84874d8