The peat-fire flame : folk-tales and traditions of the Highlands & Islands

THE PEAT-FIRE FLAME
aspired to "try" the Red MacGregor. Whereat he journeyed
southward from the Hebrides, with this object in view.
When he arrived at Loch Lomondside, he learnt that Rob
Roy had gone off to a fair at Killearn. Off went the Chief
of Barra in quest of him; and, when nearing Killearn, he
met a number of men on horseback, who were just returning
from the fair. Accosting one of them. Black Roderic made
inquiries as to the whereabouts of Rob Roy.
" He is here," replied the horseman who had been
accosted ; " and what will you be wanting with him? "
" Well," explained the MacNeil, " I am the Chief of
Barra; and they are telling me that you consider yourself a
better swordsman than I am. So, I have come all this way
"
to prove that you are not !
" Though I have little desire to fight a man without just
cause," cried Rob Roy, dismounting the while, " I shall
accept your challenge; and, though you be a stranger to me.
you shall not go without your deserts."
Only on one occasion was Rob Roy MacGregor known to
have declined a challenge. The challenge on that occasion
came from a certain Donald Bain ; and MacGregor's reason
for his having declined was that he fought duels only with
gentlemen.
Without further ado. Black Roderic and Rob Roy set to.
Now, Rob Roy was notorious both for the length and
the strength of his arms. So long were they, indeed, that,
when he stood erect, his finger-tips touched his garters.
Hence he wielded the claymore to some purpose. Scarcely
had the duel began when the Chief of Barra found reason
to regret his temerity, since his antagonist nearly took his
sword arm off him with one fell swipe, thus necessitating his
detention in the village of Killearn for several months.
In due course Black Roderic returned to Barra ; and never
again was he putting trouble on Rob Roy.
Black Roderic and the Warrior of Sealltuinn.
This same Black Roderic, who sometimes was known as
Black Roderic the Unjust, also went on an expedition to
Sealltuinn (Shetland); and the folk-tale is still told in the
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