nd successful of the reivers on the Scottish side of
the Border.

Sir Walter Scott, who was a descendant of Wat of Harden, has an
interesting note in his "Border Minstrelsy" regarding the family. "Of this
Border laird," he says, "commonly called _Auld Wat of Harden_, tradition
has preserved many anecdotes. He was married to Mary Scott, celebrated in
song by the title of 'The Flower of Yarrow.' By their marriage contract,
the father-in-law, Philip Scott of Dryhope, was to find Harden in horse
meat and man's meat at his Tower of Dryhope for a year and a day; but five
barons pledge themselves, that, at the expiry of that period, the
son-in-law should remove without attempting to continue in possession by
force! A notary-public signed for all the parties to the deed, none of
whom could write their names. The original is still in the charter-room of
the present Mr Scott of Harden. By 'The Flower of Yarrow' the Laird of
Harden had six sons; five of whom survived him, and founded the families
of Harden (now extinct), Highchesters (now representing Harden), Reaburn,
Wool, and Synton. The sixth son was slain at a fray, in a hunting match,
by the Scotts of Gilmanscleuch. His brothers flew to arms; but the old
laird secured them in the dungeon of his tower, hurried to Edinburgh,
stated the crime, and obtained a gift of the land of the offenders from
the Crown. He returned to Harden with equal speed, released his sons, and
showed them the charter. 'To horse, lads!' cried the savage warrior, 'and
let us take possession! The lands of Gilmanscleuch are well worth a dead
son.'"

Hogg's description of "Auld Wat" as he set out for Edinburgh on this
occasion is humourously realistic:

And he's awa' to Holyrood,
Amang our nobles a',
With bonnet lyke a girdle braid,
And hayre lyke Craighope snaw.

His coat was of the forest green,
Wi' buttons lyke the moon;
His breeks were o' the guid buckskyne,
Wi' a' the hayre aboon.

His twa hand sword hang round his back,
An' rattled at his heel;
The rowels of his silver spurs
Were of the Rippon steel;

His hose were braced wi' chains o' airn,
An' round wi' tassels hung:
At ilka tramp o' Harden's heel,
The royal arches rung.

* * * *

Ane grant of all our lands sae fayre
The King to him has gien;
An' a' the Scotts o' Gilmanscleuch
Were outlawed ilka ane.

But Harden's best fortune came to him with his wi