THE KEEPER OF THE BEG ALIA. 273 



the animal's throat and worried him exceedingly. In 

 fine, after a very ludicrous struggle, he shook off my 

 excellent namesake and flung him on the shore, where 

 he was despatched with the leisters before he could 

 regain the river. Thus ended the " Battle of Otter- 

 bourne," and thus ended also our sport for the night ; 

 for the beast, no doubt, had disturbed that cast, which, 

 together with the lower water, was set apart for an- 

 other night's amusement. 



We now marched home with our spoil, triumphant ; 

 — Sandy in front, with the blazing beacon over his 

 shoulder to light our steps, as has been practised from 

 time immemorial ; the others with the fish and leisters. 

 One of the spectators began a concordia discors with 

 his bagpipe, but bade us adieu at Melrose Bridge, and 

 the dulcet sounds died away among the pine woods 

 and furze brakes of the Eildon Hills. Then it was that 

 we had the good fortune to meet my most humorous and 

 excellent friend Sir Adam Ferguson, who made rare 

 amends for the loss of our piper, by singing the fol- 

 lowing strains in his richest style, which, as they are 

 not very well known in the South, I venture to sub- 

 scribe. 



" The Laird o' Cockpen he's proud an' he's great, 

 His mind's ta'en up wi' the things o' the State 

 He wanted a wife his Draw hoose to keep, 

 But favour wi' wooin' was fashous to seek. 



" Doon by the dyke-side a leddie did dwell, 

 At the head o' his table he thocht she'd look well, 

 Macleish's ae dochter o' Claver's Ha' Lee, 

 A penniless lass, wi' a lang pedigree. 



