THE KEEPER OF THE REGALIA. 253 



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 another 

 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 bad 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 follow- 

 ing strains in his richest style ; which, as they are not 

 very well known in the South, I venture to subscribe. 



" The Laird o' Cockpen, he's proud and he's great ; 

 His mind's ta'en up wi' the things o' the state ; 

 He wanted a wife his braw house to keep, 

 But favor wi' wooing was fashous to seek. 



" Down 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. 



