Spread out on a cushion before the
clerk, and apparently taken in a line of direction, interfering with what
they considered to be their privileged ground, it was with great
difficulty that the most moderate of them, could restrain the rest from
running down, and taking vengeance, even in sight of their own Lord of
the Manor.

"They only abstained for a short time, and no sooner had Sir David, and
the other gentleman taken leave of each other in the most polite and
friendly manner, as border chiefs are wont to do, since border feuds
ceased, and had departed to a sufficient distance, than the clan, armed
with bludgeons, pitch-forks, and such other hostile weapons as they could
find, rushed down in a body; and before the chiefs on either side had
reached their home, there was neither English tenant, horse, cow, nor
sheep left upon the premises.

"Notes on Answers C and D.

"_Peculiar cast of_ GYPSEY FEATURES, _every where distinguishable_, &c.

"When first I knew any thing about the colony, old Will Faa was king, or
leader, and had held the sovereignty for many years.

"Meeting at Kelso with Mr. Walter Scott, whose discriminating habits and
just observations I had occasion to know from his youth, and at the same
time seeing one of my Yetholm friends in the horse market, I merely said
to Mr. Scott, "Try to get before that man with the long drab coat, look
at him on your return, and tell me whether you ever saw him, and what you
think of him." He was so good as to indulge me; and rejoining me said
without hesitation, "I never saw the man that I know of; but he is one of
the Gypsies of Yetholm, that you told me of several years ago." I need
scarcely say that he was perfectly correct.

"The descendants of Faa, now take the name of _Fall_, from the Messrs.
Falls, of Dunbar, who, they pride themselves in saying, are of the same
stock and lineage. When old Will Faa was upwards of eighty years of age,
he called on me at Kelso, in his way to Edinburgh, telling that he was
going to see the Laird, the late Mr. Nesbit, of Dirleton, as he
understood that he was very unwell, and himself being now old, and not so
stout as he had been, he wished to see him once more before he died.

"The old man set out by the nearest road, which was by no means his
common practice. Next market-day, same of the farmers informed me, that
they had been in Edinburgh, and seen Will Faa upon the bridge; (the south
bridge was not then built;)