An anxious consultation now took place between the officer and the Highlanders, but carried on in so
low a tone, that it was impossible to catch the sense. So soon as it was concluded they all left the house.
At their departure, the Bailie thus expressed himself: Thae Hielandmen are o the westland clans, and
just as light-handed as their neighbours, an a tales be true, and yet ye see they hae brought them frae
the head o Argyleshire to make war wi puir Rob for some auld ill-will that they hae at him and his sirnameAnd
theres the Grahames, and the Buchanans, and the Lennox gentry, a mounted and in order.Its
weel kend their quarreland I dinna blame themnaebody likes to lose his kyeand then theres sodgers,
puir things, hoyed out frae the garrison at abodys biddingPuir Rob will hae his hands fu by the time
the sun comes ower the hill. Weelits wrang for a magistrate to be wishing onything agane the course
o justice, but deil o me an I wad break my heart to hear that Rob had gien them a their paiks!