Macgregor and Lamont

ANCIENT TALES,

MACGREGOR AND LAMONT.

I know not if ever you have heard the following traditional story of a chieftain of the Macgregors residing at the time on his freehold in Glenorchy. His son had gone in the shooting season with a party of young associates to the moors in the braes of the country. They met with a young gentleman of the name of Lamont from Cowal, who, attended by a servant, was going to Fort William. They all went to the kind of inn that was in the place, and took refreshments together; in the course of which, at the close of the day, a trifling dispute arose betwixt Lamont and young Macgregor. Dirks were drawn, and before friends could interfere, Macgregor fell mortally wounded. In the confusion, Lamont escaped, and, though pursued, under the cover of night got securely to the house of the elder Macgregor, which happened to be the first habitation which met his eye at the dawn of morning. The chieftain had got up and was standing at the door. 'Save my life!' said the stranger, 'for men are in pursuit of me to take it away.' 'Whoever you are,' says Macgregor, 'here you are safe.'

Lamont was but just brought to an inner apartment, and introduced to the family, when a loud inquiry was made at the door, if a stranger had entered the house. 'He has,' says Macgregor, 'and what is your business with him?' 'In a scuffle,' cried the pursuers, 'he has killed your son; deliver him up that we may instantly revenge the deed. ' Macgregor's wife and his two daughters filled the house with their cries and lamentations. — 'Be quiet,' says the chief, with his eyes streaming with tears, 'and let no man presume to touch the