STEWARTS OF INVERNAHYLE. 89 



in order to increase the speed of the fugitive and the laughter of his comrades, 

 thundered away with all his force. The poor idiot was soon out of sight ; but, 

 on looking towards the cave, the soldiers beheld Ardshiel* and a few of his 

 companions, who had been roused by the ominous drum, making their escape 

 in different directions among the rocks. -f- 



Invernahyle, on the opposite extremity of Lochcreran, will excite attention 

 in the traveller's mind, not more by the beauty of its situation than by its 

 association with the last rebellion, and the circumstances already detailed in 

 our sketch^ of the battle of Preston Pans. Alexander Stewart, of Invernahyle, 

 as there stated, played a conspicuous part in the fortunes of that day. He had 

 been out in the " fifteen" as well as in the " forty-five," and been an active 

 participator in all the stirring events that had intervened. His most famous 

 exploit was that of having vanquished Rob Roy in a trial of skill with the 

 broadsword, a short time previous to the death of that celebrated hero, at the 

 Clachan of Balquidder. Happening also to be in Edinburgh when the redoubted 

 Paul Jones made his appearance in the Frith, Stewart, who was then far 

 advanced in years, buckled on his arms, and, on examining the edge of his 

 old and well-tried claymore, thanked Heaven that there was yet another chance 

 of trying its temper before he died. Panic-struck at the aspect which this 

 piratical squadron of three small vessels presented, and well knowing the des- 

 perate character of the leader, the magistrates of Leith made little preparations 

 to repulse the aggressor, should he attempt a landing, till Invernahyle proposed to 

 them, that, if broadswords and dirks could be procured, he would engage to 

 find those among his clansmen who would make a right good use of them. 

 The proposal was gladly accepted ; but, unfortunately for the glory of the day, 

 a stiff breeze from the west carried Paul Jones clear out of the Forth, and the 

 old claymore was once more consigned to its scabbard. 



When the lands of Ardshiel were confiscated, Campbell of Glenure was appointed steward on the forfeited 

 estate, and under him was James Stewart of Achurn, brother of the unfortunate proprietor. Much dissa- 

 tisfaction, however, arose among the tenants, who could not regard Campbell but as a government spy 

 and interloper. Piqued at this, and willing to retaliate, the latter set about removing the old tenants, 

 and introducing those of his own party in their stead. To accomplish this impolitic measure, he had 

 recourse to legal ejectments, which greatly exasperated the people, and was finally waylaid and shot by an 

 outlaw, named Donald Breck. The assassin immediately absconded ; but suspicion falling upon Stewart as 

 the author or instigator of the deed, the unfortunate gentleman was tried, condemned, and hung in chains, 

 on the spot where Campbell was shot. It was confidently believed, however, that he was sacrificed to the 

 violence of party rage, and was innocent of the crime for which he suffered. See State Trials, art. Stewart 

 of Acharn, vol. xix. 



f This tradition is supposed to have furnished Sir Walter Scott with several well-known incidents, and 

 to have suggested the character of the " Baron Braidwardine," as well as that of the idiot, " Davy Gellatly," 

 in the romance of " Waverley." See p. 91. 



J See vol. i. p. 65. 

 VOL. II. A A 



