Page:Life and exploits of Rob Roy MacGregor.pdf/14

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turn an answer, forwarded it to Argyle who soon took occasion to confront Montrose, with a charge of malevolence. But Rob suffered severely for this noble act, for Montrose, in revenge, procured an adjudication of his estate, and it was evicted for a sum very inadequate to its value.

During this transaction, Rob Roy was in England on business, and the expulsion of his family was conducted by

    gor'sword and honour for his safety, and as God lives he shall be safe and secure whilst in my house.'
    In a little the chieftain accompanied Lamont with twelve men under arms, to Inverary, and landed him in safety on the other side of Lochfine, then took him by the hand and thus addressed him:—'Lamont, now you are safe,—no longer can I or will I protect you;—keep out of the way of my clan.—May God forgive and bless you.'
    This happened some time before the act of proscription against the clan Gregor in 1633, when, to the discredit of justice, a weak government sacrifised a whole people for the enormities of a few. M'Gregor lost his property, and was hunted for his life in consequence of this iniquitous act. He took shelter in the house of this very Lamont,—the misfortune of his younger years; and who, by every act of kindness to his venerable guest, and some branches of his family, revered the providence, which put it in his power to repay to the family of his benefactor, in some measure, the loss he had occasioned them in the death of a son