A Legend of Montrose | Page 4

and for some time secreted herself from all
living society. Some remaining instinctive feeling brought her at length
to steal a glance from a distance at the maidens while they milked the
cows, which being observed, her husband, Ardvoirlich, had her
conveyed back to her home, and detained her there till she gave birth to
a child, of whom she had been pregnant; after which she was observed
gradually to recover her mental faculties.
Meanwhile the outlaws had carried to the utmost their insults against
the regal authority, which indeed, as exercised, they had little reason
for respecting. They bore the same bloody trophy, which they had so
savagely exhibited to the lady of Ardvoirlich, into the old church of
Balquidder, nearly in the centre of their country, where the Laird of
MacGregor and all his clan being convened for the purpose, laid their
hands successively on the dead man's head, and swore, in heathenish
and barbarous manner, to defend the author of the deed. This fierce and
vindictive combination gave the author's late and lamented friend, Sir
Alexander Boswell, Bart., subject for a spirited poem, entitled
"Clan-Alpin's Vow," which was printed, but not, I believe, published,
in 1811 [See Appendix No. I].
The fact is ascertained by a proclamation from the Privy Council, dated
4th February, 1589, directing letters of fire and sword against the
MacGregors [See Appendix No. II]. This fearful commission was
executed with uncommon fury. The late excellent John Buchanan of
Cambusmore showed the author some correspondence between his
ancestor, the Laird of Buchanan, and Lord Drummond, about sweeping
certain valleys with their followers, on a fixed time and rendezvous,
and "taking sweet revenge for the death of their cousin,
Drummond-ernoch." In spite of all, however, that could be done, the
devoted tribe of MacGregor still bred up survivors to sustain and to
inflict new cruelties and injuries.
[I embrace the opportunity given me by a second mention of this tribe,
to notice an error, which imputes to an individual named Ciar Mohr

MacGregor, the slaughter of the students at the battle of Glenfruin. I am
informed from the authority of John Gregorson, Esq., that the chieftain
so named was dead nearly a century before the battle in question, and
could not, therefore, have done the cruel action mentioned. The mistake
does not rest with me, as I disclaimed being responsible for the
tradition while I quoted it, but with vulgar fame, which is always
disposed to ascribe remarkable actions to a remarkable name.--See the
erroneous passage, ROB ROY, Introduction; and so soft sleep the
offended phantom of Dugald Ciar Mohr.
It is with mingled pleasure and shame that I record the more important
error, of having announced as deceased my learned acquaintance, the
Rev. Dr. Grahame, minister of Aberfoil.--See ROB ROY, p.360. I
cannot now recollect the precise ground of my depriving my learned
and excellent friend of his existence, unless, like Mr. Kirke, his
predecessor in the parish, the excellent Doctor had made a short trip to
Fairyland, with whose wonders he is so well acquainted. But however I
may have been misled, my regret is most sincere for having spread such
a rumour; and no one can be more gratified than I that the report,
however I have been induced to credit and give it currency, is a false
one, and that Dr. Grahame is still the living pastor of Aberfoil, for the
delight and instruction of his brother antiquaries.]
Meanwhile Young James Stewart of Ardvoirlich grew up to manhood
uncommonly tall, strong, and active, with such power in the grasp of
his hand in particular, as could force the blood from beneath the nails
of the persons who contended with him in this feat of strength. His
temper was moody, fierce, and irascible; yet he must have had some
ostensible good qualities, as he was greatly beloved by Lord Kilpont,
the eldest son of the Earl of Airth and Menteith.
This gallant young nobleman joined Montrose in the setting up his
standard in 1644, just before the decisive battle at Tippermuir, on the
1st September in that year. At that time, Stewart of Ardvoirlich shared
the confidence of the young Lord by day, and his bed by night, when,
about four or five days after the battle, Ardvoirlich, either from a fit of
sudden fury or deep malice long entertained against his unsuspecting
friend, stabbed Lord Kilpont to the heart, and escaped from the camp of
Montrose, having killed a sentinel who attempted to detain him. Bishop
Guthrie gives us a reason for this villainous action, that Lord Kilpont

had rejected with abhorrence a proposal of Ardvoirlich to assassinate
Montrose. But it does not appear that there is any authority for this
charge, which rests on mere suspicion. Ardvoirlich, the assassin,
certainly did fly