Minstrelsy of the Scottish border - National Library of Scotland

154 MINSTRELSY OF
as he began to pass the long, high, and narrow bridge,
which crosses the Eden at Carlisle, either end of the pass
was occupied by a party of parliamentary soldiers, who
were lying in wait for him. The Borderer disdained to
resign his enterprize, even in these desperate circum-
stances ; and at once forming his resolution, spurred his
horse over the parapet. The river was in high flood.
Will sunk—the soldiers shouted—he emerged again, and
guiding his horse to a steep bank, called the Stanners,
or Stanhouse, endeavoured to land, but ineffectually,
owing to his heavy horseman's cloak, now drenched in
water. Will cut the loop, and the horse, feeling him-
self disembarrassed, made a desperate exertion, and suc-
ceeded in gaining the bank. Our hero set off, at full
speed, pursued by the troopers, who had for a time stood
motionless in astonishment at his temerity. Will, how-
ever, was well mounted ; and, having got the start, he
kept it, menacing, with his pistols, any pursuer who
seemed likely to gain on him—an artifice which succeeded,
although the arms were wet and useless. He
was chased to the river Eske, which he swam without
hesitation ; and, finding himself on Scottish ground, and
in the neighbourhood of friends, he turned on the north-
ern bank, and, in the true spirit of a Border rider, invi-
ted his followers to come through, and drink with him.
After this taunt, he proceeded on his journey, and faith-
fully accomplished his mission. Such were the exploits
of the very last Border freebooter of any note.