196 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



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 decep- 

 tion 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, en- 

 deavoured to " bridle the Tweed with a curb of 

 stone " ; but his left foot insensibly touching the 

 running stream, the work was imperfect and dis- 

 united, so that the whole volume of the river gushed 

 through the rocks in gorges with such appalling 

 violence, that neither he of Ercildoune nor the Frati 

 thought it prudent to follow.* 



Michael now, seeing the pursuit after his familiar 

 was vain on the water, remained ashore, and sum- 

 moned 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 sand- 

 bank over the spot where this curious iron boat is 



* 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. 



