Chapter 10

JAMES MOHR MACGREGOR

Another spy--Rob Roy's son, James Mohr Macgregor--A spy in 1745--At Prestonpans and Culloden--Escape from Edinburgh Castle--Billy Marshall--Visit to Ireland--Balhaldie reports James's discovery of Irish Macgregors--Their loyalty--James Mohr and Lord Albemarle--James Mohr offers to sell himself--And to betray Alan Breck--His sense of honour--His long-winded report on Irish conspiracy--Balhaldie--Mrs. Macfarlane who shot the Captain--Her romance--Pitfirrane Papers--Balhaldie's snuff-boxes--James Mohr's confessions--Balhaldie and Charles--Irish invasion--Arms in Moidart--Arms at the house of Tough--Pickle to play the spy in Ireland--Accompanied by a 'Court Trusty'--Letter from Pickle--Alan Breck spoils James Mohr--Takes his snuff-boxes--Death of James Mohr--Yet another spy--His wild information--Confirmation of Charles's visit to Ireland.

From the deliberate and rejoicing devilry of Glengarry, and from Charles's increasing distress and degradation, it is almost a relief to pass for a moment to the harmless mendacity of a contemporary spy, Rob Roy's son, James Mohr Macgregor, or Drummond. This highland gentleman, with his courage, his sentiment, and his ingrained falseness, is known to the readers of Mr. Stevenson's 'Catriona.' Though unacquainted with the documents which we shall cite, Mr. Stevenson divined James Mohr with the assured certainty of genius. From first to last James was a valiant, plausible, conscienceless, heartless liar, with a keen feeling for the point of honour, and a truly Celtic passion of affection for his native hand.

As early at least as the spring of 1745, James Mohr, while posing as a Jacobite, was in relations with the law officers of the Crown in Scotland. {231a} James's desire then was to obtain a commission in a Highland regiment, and as much ready money as possible. Either he was dissatisfied with his pay as a spy, or he expected better things from the Jacobites, for, after arranging his evidence to suit his schemes, he took up arms for the Prince. He captured with a handful of men the fortress of Inversnaid; he fell, severely wounded, at Prestonpans, and called out, as he lay on the ground, 'My lads, I am not dead! By God! I shall see if any of you does not do his duty.' Though he fought at Culloden, James appears to have patched up a peace with the Government, and probably eked out a livelihood by cattle-stealing and spying, till, on December 8, 1750, he helped his brother Robin to abduct a young widow of some property. {231b} Soon after he was arrested, tried, and lodged, first in the Tolbooth, next, for more security, in Edinburgh Castle.

On November 16, 1752, James, by aid of his daughter (Mr. Stevenson's Catriona), escaped from the Castle disguised as a cobbler. {232a} It has often been said that the Government connived at James's escape. If so, they acted rather meanly in sentencing 'two lieutenants' of his guard 'to be broke, the sergeant reduced