1904-1905-] Yarrow : Its Literature and Romance. 163 



Here he would have been surrounded by large proprietors, and 

 he would have found it difficult, if not impossible, to enlarge 

 his boundaries ; whereas at Abbotsford he was surrounded by 

 small lairds who were only too ready to sell at the exorbitant 

 prices Scott was prepared to ofler. 



A mile farther up the valley we come to Hangingshaw, 

 where erst the Outlaw Murray lived in regal state. The story 

 of the " Outlaw " is a fascinating one, but how much of it, as 

 recorded in the well-known ballad, is authentic history, it is 

 difficult to say. But tradition tells that the " Outlaw " ruled 

 over a wide domain, and exercised his authority in a kingly 

 fashion. In those days the Border chiefs were wont to set 

 both king and government at defiance. They openly spoke of 

 the monarch as " King of Fife and the Lothians," but refused 

 to acknowledge his supremacy over the Border clans. They 

 were a people by themselves, and resented everything in the 

 shape of regal authority. They lived " in peace of mind," — 



" For why 1 — because the good old rule 

 Sufficeth them, the simple plan, 

 That they should take, who have the power, 

 And they should keep who can." 



But the " Outlaw " had ultimately to reckon with his 

 Sovereign. The king came down, attended by a large retinue, 

 and summoned Murray into his presence to give an account 

 of his stewardship. This, for a time, he resolutely refused 

 to do. 



" ' Thir lands are mine,' the Outlaw said, 

 ' And I ken nae king in Christendie : 

 Frae Soudron I this forest wan. 



When the king and his men were not to see.'" 



By-and-by, however, he made his submission, and he and his 

 heirs were appointed hereditary sheriffs of the county. It is 

 an interesting incident, and, whether historical or not, reflects 

 faithfully the social conditions of that period of Border 

 history. 



It is said that at the door of the castle a tub of good 

 brown ale was placed, and replenished every morning, and 

 every wayfarer was in honour bound to drink the contents 

 of a capacious ladle with which the refreshing beverage 

 was dispensed. 



