XXVII
‘Ride by the gate at Priesthaughswire,
And warn the Currors o’ the Lee;
As ye cum down the Hermitage Slack,
Warn doughty Willie o’ Gorrinberry.’
XXVIII
The Scotts they rade, the Scotts they ran,
Sae starkly and sae steadilie!
And aye the ower-word o’ the thrang
Was—‘Rise for Branksome readilie!’
XXIX
The gear was driven the Frostylee up,
Frae the Frostylee unto the plain,
Whan Willie has look’d his men before,
And saw the kye right fast drivand.
XXX
‘Whae drives thir kye?’ ’gan Willie say,
‘To make an outspeckle[1229] o’ me?’—
‘It’s I, the Captain o’ Bewcastle, Willie;
I winna layne[1230] my name for thee.’—
XXXI
‘O will ye let Telfer’s kye gae back?
Or will ye do aught for regard o’ me?
Or, by the faith of my body,’ quo’ Willie Scott,
‘I’se ware my dame’s cauf skin[1231] on thee!—