THE WITCH OF MAKERSTOUN 197 



but the devil beat them all hollow at Little-Dean 

 stream, which, being swift, rocky, and shallow, 

 suited his style of navigation admirably. Now 

 there was, and still is, a witch dwelling on the 

 craigs near Makerstoun, at the Corbie's Nest, who, 

 by a deception in magic called glamour, assumes 

 the semblance of a crow. She was a sort of ally 

 of Michael Scott, and flew forth, croaking her 

 hoarsest and best upon the occasion. How far her 

 power extended, and what she did, I have never 

 heard ; but certain it is that the wizard landed, that 

 his magic might have effect, and, with or without her 

 assistance, endeavoured to " bridle the Tweed with 

 a curb of stone ; " but his left foot insensibly touch- 

 ing the running stream, the work was imperfect 

 and disunited, so that the whole volume of the 

 river gushed through the rocks in gorges with such 

 appalling violence, that neither he of Ercildoune or 

 the Frati thought it prudent to follow. 1 



Michael now, seeing the pursuit after his 

 familiar was vain on the water, remained ashore, 

 and summoned another spirit, who was subservient 

 to him, in the shape of a coal-black horse, and 

 springing on him, said, as was his custom, " Mount, 

 Diabolus, and fly " ; but he was scarcely firm in his 

 seat, before the little devil got down to sea, where 

 he sunk his boat, and vanished to the bad place 

 from whence he came. There is still a dangerous 

 sandbank over the spot where this curious iron 



1 These rocks are called the troughs, or in Scotch, trows, and are 

 under the beautiful grounds of Makerstoun. A very active gentleman, 

 who resides a few miles higher up the river, has in very low water 

 leaped from rock to rock, and thus crossed the Tweed without wetting 

 his feet. 



