into personal enmity; this induced each of them to court the favour of Rob Roy, whose personal prowess, and daring spirit, rendered him a desirable auxiliary, or a formidable enemy.
Montrose, to gain the confidence, and secure the friendship of McGregor, made a proposal to enter into copartnery with him in the trade of cattle-dealing, a plan in which he readily acquiesced. Montrose accordingly advanced Rob 1000 merks, (about 501. Sterling) who was also expected to lay out a similar sum, and the profits were to be divided. Argyle also laboured to form an alliance with Rob, hoping that, from his resolute bravery, and local situation, he would be a source of constant annoyance to Montrose. Besides, he might suppose that Rob Roy had evinced a friendly disposition by assuming the name of Campbell, that of M‘Gregor being under proscription. But though Rob had chosen this name in compliment to his mother, and in compliance with the law, he was acknowledged in the country, and by his clan, under no other name than that of M‘Gregor. He therefore spurned the overtures of Argyle with indignation.
Rob Roy, in carrying on business withmthe Marquis of Montrose, was the active manager. But a M‘Donald, an inferior
