Donald's Adventure

DESCRIPTION: Donald, behind in his rent, organizes a cattle drive to an English fair where prices are good. He sells the cattle but is met on his way home by a robber who takes the money. By a trick Donald captures the robber, wins a reward, and pays off his lease.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1909 (Greig/Duncan2)
LONG DESCRIPTION: Donald was a poor man, behind in his rent. He organized a drive, with his own and his neighbors' cattle, to an English fair where the price would be good. He armed himself with a sword, completed the drive, sold the cattle and started for home. On the way he met a robber who held Donald up at sword-point. Donald gave him the money but complained that he would not be able to explain the loss to his friends. The robber said he would give his usual proof by cutting off one of his victim's hands. Donald asked that his hand be cut off against a tree root rather than on the ground. Donald bared his wrist and as the robber struck moved his hand so that the sword stuck on the tree. Donald beat the disarmed robber, tied him up and took him to town. In town the robber was recognized "for lang his deeds o' horror Had kept the countryside in terror." Donald collected a twenty guinea reward while the robber "wis tried, condemned and hung." He paid off the laird and "wis soon a man o' means himsel'."
KEYWORDS: poverty violence travel execution robbery trial trick injury money commerce England Scotland animal
FOUND IN: Britain(Scotland(Aber))
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Greig/Duncan2 269, "Donald's Adventure" (1 text)
Roud #5832
ALTERNATE TITLES:
A Highland Tale
File: GrD2269

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