to have him kept in chains. This order was obeyed, and Rory's hands
and legs were much pained and cut with the irons. The governor
had unpleasant feuds with one of his neighbours, which occasioned
several encounters and skirmishes between their servants, who
came in repeatedly with wounds and bruises. Rory, noticing this
to occur frequently, said to one of them, "Would to God that the
laird would take me with him, and I should then be worth my meat to
him and serve for better use than I do with these chains." This
was communicated to the governor, who sent for Rory and asked him
if he would fight well for him. "If I do not that," said he, "let
me hang in these chains." He then took his solemn oath that he
would not run away, and the governor ordered the servants to set
about curing Rory's wounds with ointments. He soon found himself
in good condition to fight, and an opportunity was not long delayed.
The governor met his adversary accompanied by his prisoner,
who fought to admiration, exhibiting great courage and enormous
strength. He soon routed the enemy, and the governor became so
enamoured of him that he was never after out of his company whenever
he could secretly have him unknown to the Court. About this time an
Italian came to Edinburgh, who challenged the whole nation to a
wrestling match for a large sum of money. One or two grappled with
him, but he disposed of them so easily that no one else could be
found to engage him. The King was much annoyed at this, and
expressed himself strongly in favour of any one who would defeat the
Italian, promising to give him a suitable reward. The governor of
the Rock having heard of this, thought it an excellent opportunity
for his prisoner to secure his freedom, and at the same time redeem
the credit of the nation, and he informed the King that a prisoner
committed to the Bass by his Majesty if released of his irons would,
in his opinion, match the Italian. The King immediately answered,