228 OUR WILD FLOWERS AND 



with tufts of Rushes and Yellow-flags. A brake of well-grown Broom 

 overhangs one side, and throws the effulgence of its golden blossoms 

 half across the oozy bottom as the sun seeks the west. It is not the 

 broom of Cowdenknowes, but it is quite as tall and as bonnie. You 

 will easily guess what my children are about : they are about pulling 

 with heed the green Rushes from the bog. Each carries its little lot 

 with a busy air to the sister, who sits beneath the brake weaving 

 them into fantastic crowns and helmets, — a whip and a sword for the 

 brothers. These, in emulation of their forebears, are boon to ride the 

 Borders as in the good olden time : — 



" I see an elfin band at play — 

 — proudly ranged in martial rank, 

 In rival bands upon the bank. 

 With rushy helm and sword of sedge 

 A bloodless Border war to wage." 



And in fact the younger boy has already mounted his horse — a stick 

 to-wit broken from the broom-bush — to do the deed ; but while he 

 is soldiering, his more sedate companion examines, with the aid of a 

 large King-cup which he is holding to her chin, into a charge made 

 against a little sister as to her overfondness for the mother's butter 

 on churning days. The dear innocent looks self-convicted, for alas ! 

 her chin does become "yellow-bright," and she may not dispute an 

 evidence made so patent by the buttercup ordeal. However, she 

 bethinks herself in time, and she will have the test applied to baby — 

 sinless baby ; and lo ! the golden halo overshadows the entire chin, 

 and foretells the coming infirmity. Little sister laughs, — and baby 

 startled hides his face in his nurse's bosom ; and when he raises it 

 from the coveted shelter, the faint alarm has vanished, and a sweet 

 smile rewards the rogueish tormentor. 



So far as I know, my first picture has not been the subject of the 

 poet's pencil, but my second has been so occasionally. The lines I 

 have quoted in its illustration are from the "Autumnal Excursion" 

 of Thomas Pringle, a native of Selkirkshire. They refer to a boy's 

 game which I have played, and which Sir Walter Scott appears to 

 have seen acted upon a spot very like the spot we had more imme- 

 diately in view. Sir Walter's locality is the crystal well near " the 

 simple cross of Sybil Grey," which is hard by Twizel Castle. After 

 a notice of the changes which time had effected on Flodden-field and 

 its neighbourhood, the Border Minstrel continues — 



" But yet from out the little hill 

 Oozes the slender sjiringlet still. 



Oft halts the stranger there. 

 For thence may best his curious ej^e 

 The memorable field descry; 



And shepherd boys repair 

 To seek the water-flag and rush, 

 And rest them by the hazel bush. 



And plait their garlands fair ; 

 Nor dream they sit upon the grave 

 That holds the bones of Marmion brave." 



