NOTES ON THE FRAY OF SUPORT.
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* * * * _And there, toom thy brock-skin bag_.--P. 254. v. 1. The badger-skin pouch was used for carrying ammunition. _In the Nicol forest woods_.--P. 254. v. 3. A wood in Cumberland, in which Suport is situated. _For I hae a' the fords o' Liddel set_.--P. 255. v. 1. Watching fords was a ready mode of intercepting the marauders; thenames of the most noted fords upon the Liddel are recited in thisverse. _And thro' at Fargy Grame's gap_.--P. 256. v. 1. Fergus Grame of Sowport, as one of the chief men of that clan, becamesecurity to Lord Scroope for the good behaviour of his friendsand dependants, 8th January, 1602.--_Introduction to History ofWestmoreland and Cumberland_, p. 111. _Wi' his sleuth dog sits in his watch right sure_.--P 256. v. 1. The centinels, who, by the march laws, were planted upon the bordereach night, had usually sleuth-dogs, or blood-hounds, along withthem.--See _Nicolson's Border Laws_, and _Lord Wharton's Regulations,in the 6th of Edward VI_. Of the blood-hound we have said something in the notes on _HobbieNoble_; but we may, in addition, refer to the following poeticaldescription of the qualities and uses of that singular animal: --Upon the banksOf Tweed, slow winding thro' the vale, the seatOf war and rapine once, ere Britons knewThe sweets of peace, or Anna's dread commandsTo lasting leagues the haughty rivals awed,There dwelt a pilfering race; well trained and skill'dIn all the mysteries of theft, the spoilTheir only substance, feuds and war their sport.Not more expert in every fraudful artThe arch felon was of old, who by the tailDrew back his lowing prize: in vain his wiles,In vain the shelter of the covering rock,In vain the sooty cloud, and ruddy flames,That issued from his mouth; for soon he paidHis forfeit life: a debt how justly dueTo wronged Alcides, and avenging Heaven!Veil'd in the shades of night, they ford the stream;Then, prowling far and near, whate'er they seizeBecomes their prey; nor flocks nor herds are safe,Nor stalls protect the steer, nor strong barr'd doorsSecure the favourite horse. Soon as the mornReveals his wrongs, with ghastly visage wanThe plunder'd owner stands, and from his lipsA thousand thronging curses burst their way.He calls his stout allies, and in a lineHis faithful hound he leads; then, with a voiceThat utters loud his rage, attentive cheers.Soon the sagacious brute, his curling tailFlourish'd in air, low bending, plies aroundHis busy nose, the steaming vapour snuffsInquisitive, nor leaves one turf untried; Till, conscious of the recent stains, his heartBeats quick, his snuffling nose, his active tail,Attest his joy; then, with deep-opening mouthThat makes the welkin tremble, he proclaimsThe audacious felon; foot by foot he marksHis winding way, while all the listening crowdApplaud his reasonings. O'er the watery ford,Dry sandy heaths, and stony barren hills,O'er beaten tracks, with men and beast distain'd,Unerring he pursues; till, at the cotArrived, and seizing by his guilty throatThe caitiff vile, redeems the captive prey:So exquisitely delicate his sense! SOMERVILLE'S _Chase_. _Methinks it's the Captain of Newcastle, &c.Coming down by the foul steps of Catlowdie's loan_.--P. 256. v. 2. According to the late Glenriddell's notes on this ballad, the officeof captain of Bewcastle was held by the chief of the Nixons. Catlowdie is a small village in Cumberland, near the junction of theEsk and Liddel. _Captain Musgrave and a' his band_.--P. 256. v. 3. This was probably the famous Captain Jack Musgrave, who had charge ofthe watch along the Cryssop, or Kershope, as appears from the order ofthe watches appointed by Lord Wharton, when deputy-warden-general, in6th Edward VI.
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