ACT III.

SCENE I.

A romantic Pass, bordering the Loch-On each side, precipitous rocks - A track, winding along the water's edge, under the base of the Mountain, seen in the perspective.

Captain THORNTON's Party march in-FRANK, BAILIE JARVIE, DOUGAL, &c.

Capt. T. Halt! front! now, Sir, you wish to speak with me.

Bailie. Yes, Captain, I crave that liberty; and, for the sake of all concern'd, I'm sorry you did not grant it a full half hour gone by; but its my sincere advice, for the sake of your friends in general, and myself in particular, that you make the best of your way back again to a place of safety; if you do not, by the hand o' my body, there isn't one of us will go home to tell the tale. Capt. T. Make yourself easy, Sir.

Bailie. Easy! I can't Sir;-he'll have us all butcher'd-(Apart).

Capt. T. As you are friends of the Government, Gentlemen, you will be happy to learn, that it is impossible this gang of ruffians can escape the measures now taken to suppress them. Various strong parties from the garrison, secure the hills in different parts: three hundred Highlanders are in possession of the upper, while Major Galbraith and his Troopers occupy the lower passes of this Country.

Bailie. Ah! that sounds all very well;—but, in the first place, there's more brandy than brains in Major Galbraith; in the next, I wouldn't have you place too much confidence in the Highlanders. Hawks won't pick out hawks' eyes. They may quarrel among themselves, and give each other a stab with a dirk, or a slash with a claymore, now and then; but take my word for't, they are sure to join in the long run, against all folks that wear breeches on their hinder ends, and have got purses in their pockets.

Capt. T. (Suddenly turning to Dougal) The route you have led us is dangerous, and therefore suspicious.

Doug. Dougal didn't make the road;-if gentlemans would travel better ways, they should have staid at Glasgow.

Bailie. That they should indeed!

Doug. Your Honour can't expect to take the red Gregarach without some danger.

Bailie. The Dougal creature's right again.

Capt. T. You dog, if you have deceived me, I'll blow your brains out on the spot. Your caution, Sir, shall not go unregarded; but we must proceed.

Bailie. Proceed! -My Conscience ! — there's something devilish hard in being obliged to risk one's life in a quarrel with which we have no con

cern.

Frank. I sincerely grieve, that your kindness for me has led you into perils, in a cause which is now so hopeless!

Bailie. We may shake hands on't! Your troubles will soon be over, and I shall slumber with my father, the Deacon.

Capt. T. Now my lads, forward!

(Helen M'Gregor appears on the point of a projecting rock with Claymore and Target, a Brace of Pistols in her Belt, and wearing a man's Bonnet and Tartan Plaid).

Helen. Hold there - stand!

(Captain Thornton starts; the Soldiers, who have made a step forward, instantly regain their position).

-Tell me what
M'Gregor?

you seek in the country of the

Bailie. By the soul of my father, it's Rob's wife, Helen! there'll be broken heads among us in three minutes.

Helen. Answer me! what is it you seek?

Capt. T. The outlaw rebel M'Gregor Campbell. Offer no vain resistance, and assure yourself of kind treatment. We make no war on

women.

Helen. Ay, I am no stranger to your tender mercies! Ye have left me neither name, nor fame; my mother's bones will shrink in their grave when mine are laid beside them! Ye have left me neither house nor hold-blanket nor bedding cattle to feed, or flocks to clothe us-you have taken from us all-all! the very name of our ancestors you have taken from us, and now you come for our lives!

Capt. T. I seek no man's life, nor would I rashly lose my own.

Bailie. Nor I, mine!

Capt. T. You have therefore nothing to fear; but should there be any with you, hardy enough to offer unavailing resistance, their own bloods be on their own heads !-A hundred guineas for Rob Roy !

Helen. Fire!
Capt. T. Forward!

I

(The heads of the Highlanders appear above the Pocks-A volley is fired, as Helen dis appears - The first party of Soldiers, led on by a Serjeant, return it, and rush forward -The Bailie at the first discharge starts forward in great alarm, and scrambles up a Rock-Dougal at the same instant attacks Captain Thornton, drives him up the Pass, and then ascends the Rock to assist the Bailie, amidst a scattered and occasional fire-The Drum and the Bugle heard incessantly-As the tumult subsides in the distance, Frank Osbaldistone advances).

Frank. The contest has terminated, and I fear, fatally for the assailants; but where is my poor friend? I saw him in a situation of imminent danger, but I trust no random shot has confirmed his melancholy prophecy.

Enter the BAILIE, greatly disordered; the skirts of his Coat torn off and ragged.

Bailie. My Conscience!

Frank. Somewhat damaged, I perceive; but I heartily rejoice the case is no worse.

Bailie. Thank you, thank you! the case is nothing to boast of;- they say, a friend sticks as close as a blister-I wish I had found it so.--(Putting himself to rights).- When I came up to this cursed country-forgive me for swearing!on no one's errand but yours, Mr. Osbaldistone, d'ye think it was fair, when my foot slipped, and I hung by the loins to the branch of a ragged thorn, to leave me dangling, like the sign of the Golden Fleece over the door of a Mercer's shop on Ludgate-Hill ?— D'ye

think it was kind, I say, to let me be shot at like a regimental target, set up for ball-practice, and never once try to help me down.

Frank. My good Sir, recollect the impossibility of my affording you relief, without assistance? How were you able to extricate yourself?

Bailie. Me extricate! I should have hung there a twelvemonth, if it hadn't been for the Dougal creature; he cut off the tails o' my coat, and clapped me on my legs again, as clean as if I had never been off them.

Frank. And where is he now?

Bailie. Following your example, and taking good care of himself. He warned me to keep clear of that amiable lady we saw just now; and troth he's right there again; for Rob himself stands in awe of her, when her blood's up.

Frank. Do you know her?

Bailie. A devilish deal too well; but its long since we've met, and its odds if she'll remember

me.

(Two or three Highlanders rush forward,Dougal following).

1st High. More Saxons! whiz a brace o' ball thro' 'em.

2d High Three inches o' cold steel!

Doug. Haud, haud! they're friends to the Gregarach

Bailie. Yes! I care not who knows it, I'm a M'Gregor! We're both M'Gregors.

(Helen, followed by her Party, advances down the Pass, to a March).

Helen. Englishmen, and without arms! that's strange, where there is a M'Gregor to hunt and slay.

Bailie. (Hesitating) I-I am very happy-ex