SIGNAL STATIONS — ALARM — GORDON. 23 



During the period of threatened invasion, it was one of the chain of signal 

 stations by which the inhabitants were to be apprised, when any cause of alarm 

 manifested itself from the sea ; and the mistake into which, in common with the 

 rest, it was so innocently betrayed, is a pleasant incident in beacon-history. 

 The circumstance wliich so unwittingly summoned the Border spirits to their 

 standard has been variously explained ; but, without attempting to arrive at any 

 positive conclusion as to the cause, we shall only say a few words in illustration 

 of its effects : — The sentinel, at the corresponding station of Habchester, erected 

 close to the ancient encampment of that name, and commanding the German 

 Ocean, having mistaken a blazing fire on one of the inland heights — supposed to 

 have been caused by the burning of furze, a common practice in the higher 

 districts^-for the signal of an invading army, quickly seconded the alarm, by 

 lighting his own beacon-fire. This, being observed from the manse windows by 

 the former incumbent, was instantly communicated to the villagers of^Ayton, 

 many of whom being volunteers, were at their posts in a moment, and ready to 

 repulse the invaders. The alarm spread Uke the fire-cross of former days, and 

 old and young starting forth at the summons, sprang to arms. The different 

 troops of county yeomanry, and companies of volunteers, were accoutred in an 

 incredibly short space of time, and set out in quick march to the general 

 rendezvous at Dunbar. The same note of alarm having been rung in Edinburgh, 

 town and country were tlirown into a state of the greatest excitement, and several 

 distressing circumstances ensued — but which must have been seriously multi- 

 plied, had not the ofiicer commanding the first of the shore stations, at St. Abb's 

 Head, prudently abstained from repeating the signal, although he saw it 

 distinctly. But, being a thorough-bred naval officer, he understood' his duty 

 better than to depart a hair's-breadth from his instructions — which were, to 

 communicate by signal only what he observed at sea* — so that the panic subsided 

 as rapidly as it commenced, and served as a most convincing experiment of the 

 loyal and patriotic spirit by which the descendants of the ancient borderers were 

 fired, as they marched to the tune of 



" Wha daur meddle wi' me."t 



In our progress westward we enter the parish of Gordon, watered by the 

 small river Eden, and, though not mountainous, presenting an undulating, or 



• This event, which took place in 1803, has been introduced with great effect into " The Antiquary." 

 It is believed to have been occasioned by what is termed in Scotland a house-healing. The people attend- 

 ing the beacon of Howraan-law, in Roxburghshire, mistook the festive light which proceeded from a 

 house undergoing that process near Dunse, for the beacon on the top of Dunse-law ; and, on Howman- 

 law being lighted up, Dunse-law took up the alarm which it was guiltless in giving, and all the rest lighted 

 in their turns.— Chambers. + Rev. George Tough of A ij ton's Par. Stnt. 1834. 



