Rob Roy — Volume 01 Read online

  No. III.--CHALLENGE BY ROB ROY.

  "Rob Roy _to ain hie and mighty Prince,_ James Duke of Montrose.

  "In charity to your Grace's couradge and conduct, please know, the onlyway to retrive both is to treat Rob Roy like himself, in appointing tyme,place, and choice of arms, that at once you may extirpate your inveterateenemy, or put a period to your punny (puny?) life in falling gloriouslyby his hands. That impertinent criticks or flatterers may not brand mefor challenging a man that's repute of a poor dastardly soul, let suchknow that I admit of the two great supporters of his character and thecaptain of his bands to joyne with him in the combat. Then sure yourGrace wont have the impudence to clamour att court for multitudes to huntme like a fox, under pretence that I am not to be found above ground.This saves your Grace and the troops any further trouble of searching;that is, if your ambition of glory press you to embrace this unequaldventure offerd of Rob's head. But if your Grace's piety, prudence, andcowardice, forbids hazarding this gentlemanly expedient, then let yourdesire of peace restore what you have robed from me by the tyranny ofyour present cituation, otherwise your overthrow as a man is determined;and advertise your friends never more to look for the frequent civilitypayed them, of sending them home without their arms only. Even theirformer cravings wont purchase that favour; so your Grace by this haspeace in your offer, if the sound of wax be frightful, and chuse youwhilk, your good friend or mortal enemy."

  This singular rhodomontade is enclosed in a letter to a friend of RobRoy, probably a retainer of the Duke of Argyle in Isle, which is in thesewords:--

  "Sir,--Receive the enclosd paper, qn you are takeing yor Botle it willdivert yorself and comrad's. I gote noe news since I seed you, only qtwee had before about the Spainyard's is like to continue. If I'll get anyfurther account about them I'll be sure to let you know of it, and tillthen I will not write any more till I'll have more sure account, and I am

  "Sir, your most affectionate Cn [cousin],"and most humble servant,"Ro: Roy."

  "_Apryle_ 16_th,_ 1719.

  "To Mr. Patrick Anderson, at Hay--These.'

  The seal, _a stag_--no bad emblem of a wild cateran.

  It appears from the envelope that Rob Roy still continued to act asIntelligencer to the Duke of Argyle, and his agents. The war he alludesto is probably some vague report of invasion from Spain. Such rumourswere likely enough to be afloat, in consequence of the disembarkation ofthe troops who were taken at Glensheal in the preceding year, 1718.