Bob. What!-a hundred thousand devils !the sons of M'Gregor, weavers! I'd sooner see every loom in Glasgow, beams, traddles, and shuttles, burnt first in hell fire!

Bailie. My Conscience !-well, you needn't grip your dirk, as tho' you were going to drive it through me: I am not a two-inch deal board.

Rob. Give me your hand-You mean well, but you press over hard on my temper. Consider what I have been, and what I am become; above all, consider that which has forced me to become what I am.

Enter FRANCIS OSBALDISTOne.

Frank. Ah! M'Gregor and Mr. Jarvie-both safe!

Rob. Ay, and like to keep so-the worst hour is past.

Bailie. It has left behind it plenty of sore bones; but a man mustn't expect to carry the comforts of the Salt-market at his tail, when he comes visiting his Highland kinsfolk.

Rob. (Aside to Frank) Your father is now in Glasgow-send the packet to him, by Mr. Jarvie. Frank. My father!-how knew you this?

Rob. Dispatch your business, and follow meYou shall see the moonlight on the mountainYou shall hear

Bailie. What?

Rob. The night-bird scream!-will you listen to her bodings-now the mist is on the brae, and the spirit of the Gregarach walks!--but I forget! you mean kindly-Farewell, Cousin-farewell(shakes hands with the Bailie, who is much affected). I would speak with you alone-follow me towards the Loch.

[Exit, making a sign of dispatch to Frank.

Bailie. What did Rob say?

Frank. Something concerning these papers. Bailie. Ey!-Papers! why, by the son of my fa ther, Rob is an honest!-Stay! (Frank tears open the packet). Here's Mr. Owen's list-"Catch'em and Whittington 706," delightful!" Pollock and Peelman 2-8-7"-Exact-" Grubb and Grinder"-right to a fraction! Lord save us, what's this? Will of Sir Hildebrand Osbaidistone, in favour of his nephew, Francis?-My Conscience!

Frank. Is it possible?

Bailie. True, as I'm a Bailie!

Frank. This, then, was the cause of Rashleigh's unrelenting hatred.

Bailie. No matter-we've got the stuff, praise be blest! We've got the stuff!

Frank. Mr. Jarvie, I entrust these documents to your care, as, henceforward, the sole agent of my Father's concerns in Scotland. Take some repose, and set forward early.

Bailie. Sole agent! Mr. Osbaldistone (bowing) I'll not affect to disclaim having done my best to deserve the favours of my friends in Crane-Alley, London; or, that the recompense will not be highly advantageous to Nicol Jarvie, Merchant and Magistrate, of the Salt-market in Glasgow, -but, I trust, you'll say as little as need be, of our pranks here among the hills;-the Members of the Town Council mightn't think it creditable, for one of their body to fight with a red-hot poker, or to hang dangling like an old scarecrow, over a potatoe garden.

Frank. Fear nothing, Sir, on that score. Your kindness deserves, and shall receive every expression of the most grateful sentiments; but

let me beg of you to lose no time in returning home.

Bailie. That you may swear; and the next time you catch me out o'hearing o' St. Mungo's bells, may Rob Roy sleep with his ancestors, and I-marry his widow!-My Conscience!

[Exeunt on opposite sides.

SCENE IV.

Distant View of the Banks of the Loch. Enter RASHLEIGH and JOBSON, in great alarm. Rash. Am I ever to be pestered with these coward fears?

Job. For Heaven's sake, Sir! if you kill me I must speak. Except our own people, we are entirely unsupported; the Government forces are all withdrawn.

Rash. Poh! for that very reason we shall not be suspected-on that very circumstance alone, we might build our surest hope. This ruffian will not now suppose it possible he is watched, and least of all by me. Did you overhear their con

ference in the hut?

Job. Partly.

Rash. And you are sure my cousin is in possession of the packet?

Job. Certain.

Rash. Does he accompany that foolish Magistrate to Glasgow ?

Job. I think not fearing to be surprized, I withdrew some paces from the hut, and crouched in the deepest shade-presently I saw—(He looks round terrified)

Rash. Saw who?

Job. (In a subdued tone) Rob Roy! In a few minutes Mr. Frank joined him, and they walked away hastily towards the Loch

Rash. To meet Diana and her Father in the Cave. Well, let them meet-I'll wait till M'Gregor and his Band depart, then spring upon, and crush them in the very nest where their venom was engendered. Did you place Wingfield in the track, to prevent the retreat of Sir Frederick and the proud dame his daughter?

Job. I did, Sir, exactly as you directed, and all the rest are within call-Hush! hark!

(Dougal has suddenly appeared; he instantly
falls flat, throwing at the same time his
Plaid entirely over him).

As I live and breathe, I heard a step!
Rash. The echo of your own footfall.

Job. No, no! as I'in an honest man—that is, as I'm a sinner-I beseech -I implore you to quit this place.

Rash. Never, till my purpose is accomplished. Death alone shall defeat it. Curses on the chance that brought him to Diana's presence, that ever brought him to my father's house!-but I will not suffer singly; the disappointment and misery they have inflicted upon me shall be shared by them, in all its bitterness-Who's there?

Enter LANCIE WINGFIELD.

Lancie. Word has passed, that the Highlanders are preparing to move.

Rash. Lose not a moment-Remember, if there be lives sacrificed in the business we are upon, your evidence must justify the act, as necessary

L

to the subjugn of treason. Now, be resolute
and be silent.

[Exit Rashleigh, followed by Lancie and
Jobson. Dougal looks after them from
beneath his Plaid,-rises cautiously and
follows.

SCENE V.

The Cave, the mouth at the upper end opening to the Loch, and opposite Mountains.-The Moon rising, illuminates the distant Scenery, and part of the mouth of the Cave.

Enter Roв Roy and FRANK.

Rob. Let me now speak of my own concerns: my kinsman said something of my boys, that sticks in my heart, and maddens in my brain ; 'twas truth he spoke, yet I dared not listen to it-'twas fair he offered, yet I spurned that offer from very pride. My poor bairns! I'm vexed when I think they must lead their father's life.

Frank. Is there no way of amending such a life, and thereby affording them an honourable chance of

Rob. You speak like a boy!-Do you think the old gnarled oak can be twisted like the green sapling? Think you I can forget being branded as an outlaw-stigmatized as a traitor-a price set upon my head, and my wife and family treated as the dam and cubs of a wolf? The very name which came to me from a long and noble line of martial ancestors, denounced as if it were a spell to conjure up the devil!