To these personal qualifications must be added a masterly use of the Highland sword, in which his length of arm gave him great advantage--and a perfect and intimate knowledge of all the recesses of the wild country in which he harboured, and the character of the various individuals, whether friendly or hostile, with whom he might come in contact.
His mental qualities seem to have been no less adapted to the circumstances in which he was placed.

Though the descendant of the blood-thirsty Ciar Mhor, he inherited none of his ancestor's ferocity.

On the contrary, Rob Roy avoided every appearance of cruelty, and it is not averred that he was ever the means of unnecessary bloodshed, or the actor in any deed which could lead the way to it.

His schemes of plunder were contrived and executed with equal boldness and sagacity, and were almost universally successful, from the skill with which they were laid, and the secrecy and rapidity with which they were executed.

Like Robin Hood of England, he was a kind and gentle robber,--and, while he took from the rich, was liberal in relieving the poor.