Part 19

Upon the third day of February, 1722, at seven o'clock at night, after I had parted with Thurston [his name Cant], and was coming up the Burial Road, one came riding up after me: upon hearing the noise of his horse's feet, I took it to be Thurston, but upon looking back, and seeing the horse of a greyish colour, I called "Who is there?" The answer was, "The Laird of Coul [his name Maxwell], be not afraid." Then looking to him by the help of the dark light which the moon afforded, I took him to be Collector Castellow designing to put a trick upon me, and immediately I struck at him with all my force with my cane, thinking I should leave upon him a mark, to make him remember his presumption; but being sensible, I aimed as well as ever I did in my life, yet my cane finding no resistance, but flying out of my hand the distance of about 60 feet, and observing it by its white head, I dismounted and took it up, and had some difficulty in mounting again, what by the ramping of my horse and what by reason of a certain kind of trembling throughout my whole joints, something likewise of anger had its share in the confusion; for, as I thought, he laughed when my staff flew away. Coming up with him again, who halted all the time I sought my staff, I asked once more "Who he was?" He answered, "The Laird of Coul." I enquired, "If he was the Laird of Coul, what brought him hither?" and "What was his business with me?"

_Coul_--The reason of my waiting on you is that I know you are disposed to do for me a thing which none of your brethren in Nithsdale will so much as attempt, though it serve to ever so good purposes. I told him I would never refuse to do a thing to serve a good purpose, if I thought I was obliged to do it as my duty. He answered, since I had undertaken what he found few in Nithsdale would, for he had tried some upon that subject, who were more obliged to him than ever I was, or to any person living: I drew my horse, and halted in surprise, asking what I had undertaken?

_Ogilvie_--Pray, Coul, who informed you that I talked at that rate?

_Coul_--You must know that we are acquainted with many things that the living know nothing about. These things you did say, and much more to that purpose; and all that I want is that you fulfil your promise and deliver my commissions to my loving wife.

_Ogilvie_--'Tis a pity, Coul, that you who know so many things, should not know the difference between an absolute and a conditional promise.

But did I ever say that if you would come to Innerwick and employ me that I would go all the way to Dumfries upon that errand? That is what never so much as once entered into my thought.

_Coul_--What was in your thought I do not pretend to know, but I can depend upon my information that these were your words; but I see you are in some disorder; I will wait on you again, when you have more presence of mind.

By the time we were got to James Dickson's inclosure below the churchyard, and while I was collecting in my mind whether ever I had spoken these words he alleged, he broke from me through the churchyard with greater violence than ever any man on horseback is capable of, and with such a singing and buzzing noise as put me in greater disorder than I was all the time I was with him. I came to my house, and my wife observed something more than ordinary paleness in my countenance, and would allege that something ailed me. I called for a dram and told her I was a little uneasy. After I found myself a little eased and refreshed, I retired to my closet to meditate on this the most astonishing adventure of my whole life.

THE SECOND CONFERENCE.

Upon the 5th of March, 1722. Being at Blarehead baptising the shepherd's child, I came off at sunsetting, or a very little after. Near Will. White's march the Laird of Coul came up with me on horseback as formerly, and, after his first salutation, bid me not be afraid, for he would do me no harm. I told him I was not in the least afraid, in the name of God and of Christ my Saviour, that he would do the least harm to me; for I knew that He in whom I trusted was stronger than all them put together, and if any of them should attempt even to do the horse I rode upon harm, as you have done to Dr Menzies' man,[48] if it be true that is said, and generally believed about Dumfries, I have free access to complain to my Lord and Master, to the lash of whose resentment you are as much liable now as before.

_Coul_--You need not multiply words upon that head, for you are as safe with me and safer, if safer can be, than when I was alive.

I said--Well then, Coul, let me have a peaceable and easy conversation with you for the time we ride together, and give me some information about the affairs of the other world, for no man inclines to lose his time in conversing with the dead without having a prospect of hearing and learning something that may be useful.

_Coul_--Well, sir, I will satisfy you as far as I think it proper and convenient. Let me know what information you want from me.

_Ogilvie_--Well, then, what sort of body is it that you appear in, and what sort of a horse is it that you ride on that appears so full of mettle?

_Coul_--You may depend upon it 'tis not the same body that I was witness to your marriage in, nor in which I died, for that is in the grave rotting; but it is such a body as answers me in a moment, for I can fly as fast as my soul can do without it, so that I can go to Dumfries and return again before you ride twice the length of your horse: nay, if I incline to go to London, or to Jerusalem, or to the moon, if you please, I can perform all these journeys equally soon, for it costs me nothing but a thought or wish; for this body you see is as fleet as your thought, for in the same moment of time that you carry your thoughts to Rome I can go there in person. And for my horse, he is much like myself, for 'tis Andrew Johnstoun, who was seven years my tenant, and he died 48 hours before me.

_Ogilvie_--So it seems when Andrew Johnstoun inclines to ride you must serve him for a horse, as he now does you?

THE THIRD CONFERENCE.

Upon the 9th of April, 1722, as I was returning from Old Hamstocks, Coul struck up with me upon the back, at the foot of the ruinous inclosure before we come to Dodds. I told him his last conversation had proven so acceptable to me that I was well pleased to see him again, and that there was a vast number of things which I wanted to inform myself further of, if he would be so good as to satisfy me.

_Coul_--Last time we met I refused you nothing that you asked, and now I expect you will refuse me nothing that I ask.

_Ogilvie_--Nothing, sir, that is in my power, or that I can with safety to my reputation and character. What then are your demands upon me?

_Coul_--All I desire is that, as you promised that Sabbath day, you will go to my wife, who now possesses all my effects, and tell her the following particulars, and desire her in my name to rectify these matters. First, that I was justly owing to Provost Crosby £500 Scots, and three years' interest; but upon hearing of his death, my good-brother (the laird of Chapel) and I did forge a discharge narrating the date of the bond, the sum, and other particulars, with this onerous clause that at that time it was fallen by and could not be found, with an obligation on the Provost's part to deliver up the bond as soon as he could hit upon it, and this discharge was dated three months before the Provost's death; and when his only son and successor, Andrew Crosby, wrote to me concerning this bond, I came to him and showed him that discharge, which silenced him, so that I got my bond without more ado. And when I heard of Robert Kennedy's death, with the same help of Chapel, I got a bill upon him for £190 sterling, which I got full and compleat payment of, and Chapel got the half. When I was in Dumfries the day Thomas Greer died, to whom I was owing an account of £36 sterling, Chapel, my good-brother, at that time was at London, and not being able of myself, being but a bad writer, to get a discharge of the account, which I wanted exceedingly, I met accidentally with Robert Boyd, a poor writer lad in Dumfries. I took him to Mrs Carrick's, gave him a bottle of wine and told him that I had paid Thomas Greer's account, but wanted a discharge, and if he would help me to it I would reward him. He flew away from me in great passion, saying he would rather be hanged, but if I had a mind for these things I had best wait till Chapel came home. This gave me great trouble, fearing that what he and I had formerly done was no secret. I followed Boyd to the street, made an apology that I was jesting, commended him for his honesty, and took him solemnly engaged that he should not repeat what had passed. I sent for my cousin Barnhourie, your good-brother, who with no difficulty, for one guinea and a half undertook and performed all that I wanted, and for one guinea more made me up a discharge for £200 Scots, which I was owing to your father-in-law and his friend Mr Morehead, which discharge I gave in to John Ewart when he required the money, and he, at my desire, produced it to you, which you sustained. A great many of the like instances were told, of which I cannot remember the persons' names and sums. But, added he, what vexes me more than all these is the injustice I did to Homer Maxwell, tenant to Lord Nithsdale, for whom I was factor. I had borrowed 2000 merks from him, 500 of which he borrowed from another hand, and I gave him my bond. For reasons I contrived, I obliged him to secrecy. He died within the year. He had nine children, and his wife had died a month before himself. I came to seal up his papers for my lord's security. His eldest daughter entreated me to look through them all, and to give her an account what was their stock and what was their debt. I very willingly undertook it, and in going through his papers I put my own bond in my pocket. His circumstances proved bad, and the nine children are now starving. These things I desire you to represent to my wife; take her brother with you, and let them be immediately rectified, for she has sufficient fund to do it upon, and, if that were done, I think I would be easy and happy. Therefore I hope you will make no delay.

_Ogilvie_--After a short pause I answered--'Tis a good errand, Coul, that you are sending me to do justice to the oppressed and injured; but notwithstanding that I see myself among the rest that come in for £200 Scots, yet I beg a little time to consider on the matter.

THE FOURTH CONFERENCE.

Upon the 10th of April, 1722, coming from Old Camus, upon the post road I met with Coul, as formerly, upon the head of the path called the _Pease_. He asked me if I had considered the matter he had recommended? I told him I had, and was in the same opinion that I was of when we parted: that I could not possibly undertake his commission unless he would give it in writing under his hand. I wanted nothing but reason to determine me, not only in that, but all other affairs of my life. I added that the list of his grievances was so long that I could not possibly remember them without being in writing.

I know, said he, that this is a mere evasion; but tell me if your neighbour, the laird of Thurston, will do it? I would gladly wait upon him.

_Ogilvie_--I am sure, said I, he will not, and if he inclined so I would do what I could to hinder him, for I think he has as little concern in these matters as I. But tell me, Coul, is it not as easy for you to write your story as it is to tell it, or to ride on--what-is-it-you-call-him? for I have forgotten your horse's name.

_Coul_--No, sir, 'tis not, and perhaps I may convince you of it afterwards.

_Ogilvie_--I would be glad to hear a reason that is solid for your not speaking to your wife yourself. But, however, any rational creature may see what a fool I would make of myself if I should go to Dumfries and tell your wife that you had appeared to me and told me of so many forgeries and villainies which you had committed, and that she behoved to make reparation. The event might, perhaps, be that she would scold me; for as 'tis very probable, she will be loth to part with any money she possesses, and therefore tell me I was mad, or possibly might pursue me for calumny. How could I vindicate myself? how should I prove that ever you had spoken with me? Mr Paton and the rest of my brethren would tell me that it was a devil who had appeared to me, and why should I repeat these things as truth, which he that was a liar from the beginning had told me? Chapel and Barnhourie would be upon my top and pursue me before the Commissary, and everybody will look upon me as brainsick or mad. Therefore, I entreat you, do not insist upon sending me an April errand. The reasonableness of my demand I leave to your consideration, as you did your former to mine, for I think what I ask is very just. But dropping these matters till our next interview, give me leave to enter upon some more diverting subject; and I do not know, Coul, but through the information given to me, you may do as much service to mankind as the redress of all the wrongs you have mentioned would amount to, &c.

Authorities Consulted and Quoted.

No. Page

1. Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, appendix p. 228 11

2. Hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway, vol. II., p. 13 14

3. Do. do. p. 459 15

4. _Gallovidian_, vol. IV., p. 40 17

5. Andrew Donaldson, Esq., Ardwell, Stranraer, letter from 24

6. Do. do. 24

7. Do. do. 25

8. Do. do. 26

9. Do. do. 29

10. Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, appendix p. 230 31

11. Wigtown: Historical and Descriptive Sketches, by Fraser, p. 359 34

12. East Galloway Sketches (Dalry), p. 349 35

13. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of--"Superstitious Custom in Galloway," by J. M'Kie (March, 1895) 40

14. John Copland, Esq., The Studio, Dundrennan, letter from 43

15. Do. do. 44

16. Do. do. 46

17. Do. do. 49

18. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of--"Folk-Lore in Tynron," by James Shaw (November, 1887) 50

19. Folk-Lore of Uppermost Nithsdale, by Wilson, p. 17 52

20. The Bard and Belted Knight, by Johnstone, p. 21 53

21. Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, appendix p. 233 56

22. Andrew Donaldson, Esq., Ardwell, Stranraer, letter from 57

23. East Galloway Sketches (Dalry), p. 350 58

24. Scottish Gallovidian Encyclopedia (2nd ed.), p. 114 59

25. Law's Memorials, edited by Kirkpatrick Sharpe 62

26. The Book of Galloway (privately printed) 64

27. History of Galloway, by Mackenzie, vol. II., appendix p. 37 77

28. Do. do. p. 40 82

29. Do. do. p. 42 87

30. History of Dumfries, by M'Dowall (2nd ed.,) p. 375 91

31. The Book of Kirkpatrick-Durham, by Stark, p. 94 93

32. The Scots Worthies (Howie), by John Semple 93

33. History of the Parish of Minnigaff, by Jas. G. Kinna, p. 119 96

34. Wigtown: Historical and Descriptive Sketches, by Fraser, p. 360 97

35. Kirkmaiden, Guide to, by Andrew Donaldson, p. 40 98

36. History of Dumfries, by M'Dowall (2nd ed.), p. 377 111

37. Do. do. p. 375 112

38. Do. do. p. 376 113

39. Do. do. p. 376 113

40. Do. do. p. 376 115

41. History of Dumfries, by M'Dowall (2nd ed.), p. 375 116

42. Do. do. p. 377 116

43. Do. do. p. 379 117

44. Domestic Annals of Scotland, vol. III., p. 66 118

45. History of Dumfries, by M'Dowall (2nd ed.), pp. 378 and 379 120

46. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of--"Kirk-session Records of Irongray Parish, 1691-1700" (February, 1906) 122

47. Unique Traditions of the West and South of Scotland, by Barbour--"The Witch's Well" 124

48. History of Witchcraft in Scotland, by C. Kirkpatrick Sharpe, p. 160 131

49. Law's Memorials, edited by Kirkpatrick Sharpe 141

50. The Testimony of Tradition, by M'Ritchie, p. 115 161

51. Hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway, by Agnew, vol. II., pp. 168 and 169 164

52. Droll Recollections of Whithorn, by Jas. F. Cannon, p. 105 166

53. Galloway Gossip, by "Saxon"--"Riddled in the Reek"--p. 289 169

54. _Dumfries and Galloway Magazine_, 1822--"Glenkens Anecdotes"--p. 456 172

55. The Castle-Douglas Miscellany, 1827 174

56. Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, appendix p. 241 176

57. Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, appendix p. 239 177

58. Do. do. p. 242 179

59. Do. do. p. 238 180

60. Do. do. p. 246 182

61. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of--"Folk-Lore of Glencairn," by John Corrie (February, 1891) 183

62. Folk-Lore of Uppermost Nithsdale, by Wilson, p. 75 184

63. Bard and Belted Knight, by Johnstone, p. 19 185

64. Cromek's Remains of Galloway and Nithsdale Song, appendix p. 265 188

65. Do. do. p. 266 190

66. Do. do. p. 268 191

67. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of--"Folk-Lore of Glencairn," by John Corrie (February, 1891) 202

68. Galloway Gossip, by "Saxon," p. 175 205

69. _Dumfries Standard_ 209

70. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of--"Folk-Lore of Glencairn," by John Corrie (December, 1890) 212

71. Drumlanrig and the Douglases, by Ramage, p. 185 214

72. Celtic Lecture, Glasgow University, by Dr Henderson 218

73. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of--"Bee Folk-Lore," by P. Dudgeon (May, 1892) 218

74. Life and Times of the Rev. John Wightman, D.D., p. 120 224

75. The Laird of Lag, by Lieut.-Col. Fergusson, appendices II. and III., p. 251 227

76. Do. do. p. 144 232

77. Old Church Life in Scotland, by Edgar (2nd series), p. 249 239

78. Memorials of Sanquhar Kirkyard, by Tom Wilson (_Courier and Herald_, Dumfries) 240

79. Hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway, by Agnew, vol. II., p. 164 248

80. Wigtown: Historical and Descriptive Sketches, by Fraser, p. 208 253

81. Jas. F. Cannon, Esq., Edinburgh, letter from 254

82. Do. do. 256

83. Galloway Gossip, by "Saxon," p. 337 258

84. The Tinkler-Gypsies of Galloway, by M'Cormick, p. 123 263

85. John Copland, Esq., The Studio, Dundrennan, letter from 269

86. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of--"Kirkbean Folk-Lore," by Sam. Arnott, Esq. (November, 1894) 274

87. Appendix to the earlier (1774, 1781, 1816) editions of Howie's Scots Worthies 282

88. John Corrie, Esq., Burnbank, Moniaive, letter from 283

89. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of (March 14th, 1902) 293

90. Reminiscences of Thomas Carlyle, by Froude (Longmans, Green & Co., 1881) 294

91. Poets of Dumfriesshire, by Miller (1910), p. 220 295

92. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of (November 18th, 1898) 296

93. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of--"Antiquities of Eskdalemuir," by Rev. John C. Dick (November 18th, 1896) 297

94. Concerning Certain Apparitions, by Frances M'Laughlin (_Chambers' Journal_, January 1909) 299

GLOSSARY.

The student of Scots dialect will not always find the quoted vernacular running through the text quite pure, many words having been unconsciously modified by a too free use of phonetic spelling.

A

ADDER-STANE, the adder-bead charm.

ADOWE, stir.

AIRLESS, heirless.

AIRT, direction.

ANON, immediately, thereupon.

ASK, newt.

AVA, at all.

AWSOMLY, in fear.

B

BACKGANE, not thriving, wasting.

BAGS, entrails.

BAYILLIS, bailies.

BEES BIZIN', noises in the head caused by alcohol.

BELDAM, an old woman.

BELTANE, the festival of May first.

BEK, bake.

BENISON, prognostication for good.

BENSHEE, a banshee or fairy, really an Irish fairy.

BERRY, thresh.

BESOME, broom.

"BEST AUCHT," the most valuable possession, usually a horse or ox, claimed by the superior on the death of a farm tenant.

BICKERING, moving noisily.

BIEN, prosperous.

BIGGIT, built.

BINWUD, ivy.

BLACK-SPAULD (SPAUL), a pleuritic disease of cattle.

BLEW SPOT, a significant witch-mark also another term for "dede-nip."

BLINMENS' BAWS, common puff-ball (devil's snuff-box).

BLINKING, attractive, comely.

BLUIDY-FINGERS, foxglove.

BOGLE-BO, hobgoblin.

BOOR-TREE, elder-tree.

BOWCAIL, cabbage.

BOWTE, to strike against.

BRATTLE, a clattering sound.

BRECKAN, bracken.

BREERS, briars

"BROCKEN," the important mediæval place of witch festival in Germany (see _Faust_).

BROSE, pease-meal mixed with boiling water.

BUMBEE, humble-bee.

BUTTER-SKEP, butter-basket.

BYKE, a wasp's or bee's nest.

C

"CA CUTTIE CA," called upon to eat freely, even greedily.

"CANNIE MOMENT," significant time.

CANTIE, canty, contentedly.

CANTRIP, charm or spell.

CAP, caup, a wooden bowl.

CARLE, a man.

CERTES, certainly.

CHAMPIT, bruised.

CHANNEL-STANE, curling-stone.

CHESSEL, the tub for pressing cheese.

CHICKEN-WORT, chicken-weed.

CHIST (KIST), a wooden box.

CHOWED, chewed.

CLOWT, cloth.

COG, a wooden domestic vessel.

COGFU', the full of such a vessel.

COMPEARED, appeared.

COUPE, to empty or capsize.

COUTERS, thick mucous secretion.

COUTHIE, in rude comfort.

COWER, to bend down.

COWES, bushes, more particularly of the broom.

COWSHERNE, cow-dung.

CRAFT, croft or field.

CRONE, hag, old woman.

CROUSELY, proudly.

"CRUMMIE," a term for cows with usually crooked horns.

CRUNE, a murmuring sound, sometimes threatening.

CRUPPEN, contracted.

D

DEAD-BELI } } DEDE-CHACK } } DEDE-DRAP } } DEID-LICHT } See text, pages 210 to 213. } DEDE-NIP } } DEDE-SPALL } } DEDE-SPEAL } } DEAD-WATCH }

DEIL'S MILK, milky sap.

DEMPSTER, judge.

DEERAY, disorder.

DIVINATION, conjuration.

DOME, doom.

DONNERT, stupid.

DOOR (DOUR) here used (page 59) in the sense of sour or astringent.

DRABBLED, slobbered.

DRUBBING, thrashing.

DRUGGET, coarse woollen cloth.

DRUMLIE, thick.

DWINED, pined away or wasted.

E

EEN, eyes.

"EFFIGIES CLERICORUM," a mock poem on the clergie when they met to consult about taking the Test in the year 1681 (printed A.D. MDCXVII.).

ELFIN, fairy.

ESHEITE, forfeited.

F

FALD, fold.

FARINTOSH, whisky.

FASH, trouble.

FEARIE, used here (page 203) in the sense of fearless.

FEAT, tidy.

FEATS, clever doings.

FECKET, under-jacket.

FEN, to strive hard for the means of livelihood.

FEY, a small field or croft.

FIENT, no one at all.

FIRSLE, to rustle.

FLEYED, frightened.

FLUTTERBAWS, puff-balls (see blinmens' baws).

FOGGY, mossy.

FORFOCHTEN, exhausted.

FOWK, people.

FRENZIET, eccentric, mad.

FUMART, pole-cat.

G

GALL, bile.

GARS, makes or compels.

GAUR, to compel.

GELLOCKS, earwigs.

GIRN, girning, whining, or fretting.

GLAMOUR, bewitchment.

GLED, kite.

GLENTED, sparkled, gleamed.

GLOWER, to gaze intently.