fe--the far-famed "Flower
of Yarrow."

This beautous flower, this rose of Yarrow,
In nature's garden has no marrow.

So sang Allan Ramsay. And since his day the charms of "Yarrow's Rose" have
inspired many a more or less tuneful ode. But Mary Scott's beauty was,
after all, not her greatest gift. She was wise beyond most of her sex,
and skilful to a degree in the management of her husband. We find, for
example, that instead of remonstrating with him on his culpable negligence
in allowing the larder to become depleted, she quietly set before him when
he came to dinner a pair of clean spurs! The hint thus indirectly conveyed
was quite sufficient. Immediately her worthy spouse was in the saddle and
riding as fast as his nag could carry him towards the English fells. It is
interesting to know that the spurs that were thus suggestively served up
for dinner are still in the possession of the family, being carefully
preserved among Lord Polwarth's treasures at Mertoun House.

But while Wat of Harden could look after his own interests, he was never
unmindful of the interests of others. When the Captain of Bewcastle came
over to Ettrick "to drive a prey," and carried off Jamie Telfer's kye, he
rendered splendid service in rescuing the herd from the hand of the
spoiler. Though Telfer, with "the tear rowing in his ee," pled with the
Captain to restore his property, he was only laughed at for his pains--

"The Captain turned him round and leugh,
Said--"Man, there's naething in thy house,
But ae auld sword without a sheath
That hardly now would fell a mouse."

Telfer first of all applied for assistance at Stobs Ha', evidently
thinking that he had some special claim on "Gibby Elliot," but he was
unceremoniously turned from the door, and told to go to "Branksome" and
"seek his succour where he paid blackmail." When Buccleuch heard what had
taken place, he cried--

"Gar warn the water, braid and wide,
Gar warn it sune and hastilie!
They that winna ride for Telfer's kye,
Let them never look in the face o' me!"

Auld Wat and his sons having also been informed of the Captain's raid,
lost no time in getting out their steeds and hurrying after the English
reiver. Over the hills, down near the Ritterford on the Liddel, the melee
began. The Captain was determined to drive Jamie Telfer's kye into England
despite the opposition of the Scotts, but he was made to pay dearly for
his temerity.--

Then til't th