For though I had changed my clothes , I could not change my age or person ; and Lowland boys of eighteen were not so rife in these parts of the world , and above all about that time , that they could fail to put one thing with another , and connect me with the bill . So it was , at least . Other folk keep a secret among two or three near friends , and somehow it leaks out ; but among these clansmen , it is told to a whole countryside , and they will keep it for a century . There was but one thing happened worth narrating ; and that is the visit I had of Robin Oig , one of the sons of the notorious Rob Roy . He was sought upon all sides on a charge of carrying a young woman from Balfron and marrying her -LRB- as was alleged -RRB- by force ; yet he stepped about Balquhidder like a gentleman in his own walled policy . It was he who had shot James Maclaren at the plough stilts , a quarrel never satisfied ; yet he walked into the house of his blood enemies as a rider * might into a public inn . * Commercial traveller . Duncan had time to pass me word of who it was ; and we looked at one another in concern . You should understand , it was then close upon the time of Alan 's coming ; the two were little likely to agree ; and yet if we sent word or sought to make a signal , it was sure to arouse suspicion in a man under so dark a cloud as the Macgregor . He came in with a great show of civility , but like a man among inferiors ; took off his bonnet to Mrs. Maclaren , but clapped it on his head again to speak to Duncan ; and having thus set himself -LRB- as he would have thought -RRB- in a proper light , came to my bedside and bowed . `` I am given to know , sir , '' says he , `` that your name is Balfour . '' `` They call me David Balfour , '' said I , `` at your service . '' `` I would give ye my name in return , sir , '' he replied , `` but it 's one somewhat blown upon of late days ; and it 'll perhaps suffice if I tell ye that I am own brother to James More Drummond or Macgregor , of whom ye will scarce have failed to hear . '' `` No , sir , '' said I , a little alarmed ; `` nor yet of your father , Macgregor-Campbell . '' And I sat up and bowed in bed ; for I thought best to compliment him , in case he was proud of having had an outlaw to his father . He bowed in return . `` But what I am come to say , sir , '' he went on , `` is this . In the year ' 45 , my brother raised a part of the ` Gregara ' and marched six companies to strike a stroke for the good side ; and the surgeon that marched with our clan and cured my brother 's leg when it was broken in the brush at Preston Pans , was a gentleman of the same name precisely as yourself . He was brother to Balfour of Baith ; and if you are in any reasonable degree of nearness one of that gentleman 's kin , I have come to put myself and my people at your command . '' You are to remember that I knew no more of my descent than any cadger 's dog ; my uncle , to be sure , had prated of some of our high connections , but nothing to the present purpose ; and there was nothing left me but that bitter disgrace of owning that I could not tell .
Robin told me shortly he was sorry he had put himself about , turned his back upon me without a sign of salutation , and as he went towards the door , I could hear him telling XXXXX that I was `` only some kinless loon that did n't know his own father . ''
Balquhidder Duncan Lowland Macgregor Oig Roy cadger century clansmen left