The Eskdale herd-boy [microform] : a Scottish tale, for the instruction and amusement of young persons

Front matter

'THE

1 ESKUAL.E HERD BOY,

COTTISH TALE

Chap. II

Excursion towards the Glen. — Beautiful scenery. — Account of the Borderers. — The Minister visits David Little's cottage. — Rustic manners. — Canine sagacity. — The visitors take their departure. . .11

CHAP. HI.

John gains the approbation of the Pastor. — Visit to Mr. Elliott.— His cottage delightfully situated.— Helen cautioned by her father against affectation,— Arrival at Minkirk, — Visit at Craigie HaH.

p»g<

— Mrs. Scott's hospitality. — John despatched on an errand. — His unlueky disaster. — The party returns by moonlight. — Their arrival at the Manse relieves Mrs. Martin's anxiety 23

Chap. IV

John's reflections on entering service. — Receives advice from the Minister for his future conduct. — John's good intentions the cause of great anxiety. 39

CHAP. V.- Sunday morning. — The family assembled for morning prayer. — Interesting description of the villagers' manners on the Sabbath. — Serious illnesses. — John in an awkward dilemma. — Hateful effects of intoxication. — Miss Helen taken seriously ill, —A curtain lecture 49

Chap. VI

Uncertainty of human events. — Neves of Captain Elliott. — An agreeable present. — John gains the approbation of the Minister for his activity. . « 6J9

Chap. VII

John enters Mr. Laurie's service. — New companions. — He receives instructions in his new employ.—

Page

surprising sagacity of the shepherds' dogs. — Marion recovered ~ .

Chap. VIII

Arrival of Captain Elliott.— Unfavourable character of William Martin. — His hasty temper the cause of uneasiness to his parents. — He is placed under the care of Mr. Lament. — Helen's amiability. — The party take their departure for Kelso. . . 83

Chap. IX

Hospitable reception at Kelso. — Interview between. Captain Elliott and his nephew William.— The party return to the Marue. — Helen's attachment to home. — Captain Elliott joins his vessels — Alarm of the family at the sudden disappearance of William Martin 56

Chap. X

?>rrs. Martin greatly distressed by William's thoughtless and undutiful conduct. — Helen shrewdly guesses her brother's plans.— Information received from Captain Elliott that William has joined him. — William solicits permission to accompany his uncle to sea.— His parents reluctantly consent.— Mrs. Martin's death ensues ^

CHAP. xr.

Page Helen's grandmother takes charge of the household.

— Marion Scott resides \vith Helen at the Manse. — John Telfer gradually improves himself. — Captain Elliott and his nephew arrive in England.—Their anxiety to visit Eskdale again. — Mrs. Elliott's repugnance at seeing her undutiful grandson causes her departure to Mr. Armstrong's. 119

Chap. XII

William's arrival, and interview with his sister. — Affectionately received by his father. — Marion narrowly escapes perishing in a saow storm. — Intrepidity of William and John. — The departure of Captain Elliott and William the cause of distress and fearful forebodings. — John accompanies them 131

Chap. XIII

Their arrival in the metropolis. — And voyage to tlrr Mediterranean. — Sudden disappearance of William and the boat's crew at sea.— A sea fight. — Captain Elliott killed, the vessel taken by the enemy, and the crew made prisoners. — The news of these disasters causes the death of Mr. Martin. 146

COM TENT S. >n

CHAP. XIV. Page

Helen vacates the parsonage, and joins Miss Maxwell's millinery establishment. — They become greatly attached. — John Telfer, after several years' captivity, makes his escape 155

Chap. XV

John's unexpected interview with Marion. — They are married, and settle in Eskdale. — His interview with Helen. — She is induced to accompany him to Eskdale ; and is finally married to Mr. Johnstonc, the Minister of Eskdale. . . * 168

Introduction

THE Author of this little Work, many years ago, spent a few weeks in Eskdale, the scene where she has placed the principal events of her tale. The beauty of the country made a deep impression on her mind, at the time ; perhaps the more so, from its being the farthest excursion to the southward, that she had then made from her native home. She, however, by no means pretends to portray the scenery in the course of her narrative, with minute accuracy. Too long a period has since elapsed, and she has seen in the interval too great a variety of places, to retain an exact recollection of every spot in this delightful dale ; but its general features remain strongly fixed in her memory ; and she hopes that her young readers will not find her tale less interesting from any slight inaccuracy which they may discover in the local description.

X INTRODUCTION.

The general character and manners of the inhabitants are, she believes, more correctly represented ; for there is scarcely an incident, exemplifying these in the following pages, of which she has not known a counterpart in real life. The respect universally paid by the parishioners to their clergyman, and the familiar intercourse and great influence which the latter possesses, in forming their minds and morals, are circumstances which have fallen under her own observation, not only in Eskdale, but in various other parts of Scotland ; and she has felt a peculiar satisfaction in describing the simple and useful life of Mr. and Mrs. MARTIN, from the remembrance of many worthy couples in similar situations, who might have sat for the resemblance. She has endeavoured, in relating the adventures of JOHN TELFER, the Eskdale Herd-boy, to impress on the minds of her young readers, the permanent advantages of early integrity and gratitude. In "the short and unfortunate life of WILLIAM MAR- TIN, she has attempted to show the duty that is incumbent on all young people, to subdue that disobedient and self-willed temper, which may

INTRODUCTION.

•otherwise undermine, not only their own comfort and happiness, but those of their parents and friends, of all whom they love, and of all to whom they are dear. The character of HELEN is meant, on the contrary, to illustrate the inestimable value that a dutiful daughter may be of, both to father and mother ; the prudence, the steadiness, and even the energy which Helen displays, on some trying occasions, will not, it is iioped, appear to be overstrained, when her conduct is considered as the result of an education conducted on those steady principles, which insure the love and obedience of the child, by inspiring a firm reliance on the justice and affection of the parent.

THE ESKDALE HERD-BOY.

Chapter I

IN the year 1807 there stood on the beautiful banks of the river Esk, in Dumfrieshire, one of the most southern counties in Scotland, a small cottage. The neat white walls, well thatched roof, and clean casement windows, ornamented as they were with honeysuckles and roses, attracted the admiration of a few strangers, who, from the uncommon beauty and grandeur of the scenery, were tempted to turn off the direct road from Langholm to Edinburgh, and follow the windings of the river to its source. The cottages in general in that part of the country, present a very different appearance ; having too frequently a look of neglect, the windows broken, the walls dirty, and instead of a pretty garden, a heap of mud before the door. The contrast, therefore, rendered this building the more remarkable ; and led people to suppose, what indeed was the case, that its inhabitants were more industrious, and had seen ? little more of the customs of other countries, than their less neat and cleanly neighbours.

The names of the couple who resided on this spot, were JOHN and MARION TELFER : their history I am now going to relate. John was the only I

THE L-kDALE HEKD-BOV.

son of an honest, industrious couple, who lived in the neighbourhood of Langholm, but who unfortunately both died of a fever, when he was little more than ten years old, leaving him nothing but their blessing, and the virtuous habits of integrity and obedience, in which they had trained him from his earliest youth. On their death-bed they entreated that the excellent clergyman, who, in spite of the malignity of the disease, continued to comfort and pray by them in their last moments, would take compassion on their poor little orphan, and find him employment among the neighbouring farmers, either as a herd-boy to some of the numerous flocks of sheep which are common in Eskdale, or as a ploughboy in their fields. Mr. MARTIN, for such was the name of the pious pastor, assured them that he would do all in his power for their child : and he kept his word ; for as soon as they were dead, he took the boy home to his own house, and there endeavoured, by kindness and sympathy, to console him for his great and irreparable loss. For some days, all his endeavours were unsuccessful. John, though sensible of the kind attentions of Mr. Martin, still felt miserable and unhappy. All his dear mother's care and tenderness ; all the pains and trouble that his kind father used to take in teaching him to read his Bible, after, perhaps, a hard day's work ; the delight with which they both watched his improvement — all, all rose to poor John?s mind, and made him believe he never more could be happy.

Mr. Martin, at last, seeing the boy's melancholy continue, thought that a little employment might serve to rouse him. He therefore one morning

THE ESKDALE HERO-BOY. 3

called John into his study, and asked him if IIP would be so good as to assist in dusting and arranging some books, which were in a large chest in the corner of the room. John, from lowness of spirits, did not much like to be employed ; but as he had been taught by his father always to be obedient, and to do at once whatever he was desired, he immediately set about dusting the books. The first two or three he merely wiped, and put them down without looking at them ; but at last, in rubbing one, a leaf fell out, which obliged him to open the book to put it back again. The work happened to be a handsome edition of Robinson Crusoe, with very beautiful prints. Mr. Martin, who was watching him unobserved, called him to bring the book, and then told him he might look at the pictures if he pleased. John, who had never seen any thing of the kind before, was delighted with this permission, and placing himself at a little distance, so as not to disturb Mr. Martin, began turning over the leaves ; his eyes sparkling, and his little hands trembling with increased delight, at every new scene that was represented. At last he came to the one where Man Friday is saved from the savages. Here his curiosity got the better of the natural awe he felt for Mr. Martin ; and he cried out, " Pray, Sir, be so good as to tell me what this means !" — for though John had been taught to read his Bible, as well as his poor father was capable of teaching, yet this was in so imperfect a way that he could by no mean? read easily, and was obliged to spell more than half his words. Mr. Martin smiled good-naturedly, as John'* exclamation made him raise his head from the book he was reading ; and desiring him to come near his chair, he explained, at some length, what the print represented ; after which he asked John if he would not like to be able to read the story himself, John immediately answered, " O dear! yes, Sir, that I should ; but," looking down, and the tears starting into his eyes, " that can never be now ; for my dear father is dead and gone ; and nobody else will ever take the trouble to teach so poor a boy as I am. And yet," continued he, looking in Mr. Martin's face, and brightening a little with a kind of hope, " don't you think, Sir, that if I succeed in getting a place, and if I am very, very attentive, and always take pains to please my master, I may in time be able to save, out of my wages, as much as a penny a week, for I know if I could do that, I might go to the school at Langholm. I remember hearing my poor dear father wish very much that he could afford to pay so much money for me ; as he said he was sure that Mr. Campbell would teach me to read much better than he could."

John here stopped, and seemed to wait anxiously to hear what Mr. Martin would say to his little plan. After a few minutes' consideration, this worthy man replied, " my dear John, I am afraid it would be a long time before you would be able to save so much out of the very small sum that such a little boy as you can earn ;" but seeing the poor fellow look disappointed, he went on to say, that he had a little scheme to propose, which he hoped John would like as well as going to Langholm school. He then added, " my dear John, when your parents were dying, I promised

THE ESKOALK HERD-BOY.

them to take care of you, and to endeavour to find a master who would be willing to take yon into his service and treat you kindly. With that view, I have been inquiring all around, amongst my parishioners, whether any of them were in want of such a little fellow ; and this morning my neighbour, Mr. Laurie, has called to ask me if I think you may be trusted with the care of a flock of sheep, up behind the hills on the other side of the river. I told him you might certainly be trusted, as I was sure you were an honest boy ; and that if you undertook the charge, after he had explained to you what your duty was to consist in, I had no doubt you would do all in your power to perform it. But at the same time I told him you must determine for yourself; as I would on no account press you to leave me sooner than was quite agreeable to your own feelings. Now," continued he, seeing John begin to speak, " hear what I have to propose to you. It is, that if you go to live with Mr. Laurie, I will make an agreement with him, provided you are a careful and industrious boy in his service through the day, that lie shall allow you, after you have penned your sheep, to come to me for an hour in the evening ; and in that hour, if we both, my dear boy, make a good use of our time I in teaching, and you in learning, I have little doubt but that in a very short time you will be able to read perfectly, both this book and many other useful and entertaining stories. Take time to reflect on what I have been saying to you,*' continued Mr. Martin, " and be sure that you are resolved in your own mind to be an honest and industrious servant to Mr. Laurie, so far as your

THE ESKDALE HERD-BOY.

strength and years will allow, before you engage with him ; and if, after thinking over the subject, you believe that you can promise me to be very attentive, and strive to learn what I shall be most willing to teach you, then, my dear John- I shall consider the plan as nearly settled, and shall only wait till I have seen Mr. Laurie to make it completely so."

Mr. Martin then pointed to the green plat before the window, where his little daughter was standing, looking at some beautiful crocusses, which had made their first appearance that season ; and said, " Go, John, now ; and let me see if you are a handy lad, and can get Master William's pony ready for Helen ; as I have promised her a ride up the glen, if she has pleased her mother by attention to her morning lessons ; and I think, by her merry face, she must have earned her reward. I am going a couple of miles to see David Little, who, you know, broke his leg last week by a fall from his horse ; and if you will go and get the pony ready, I will "desire Mrs. Martin to put up a loaf of wheaten bread, which will be a rarity to him, and which he may perhaps relish more than his oaten cakes, whilst he is sick ; and you, John, get your bonnet (boys always wear Highland bonnets, instead of hats, in the hilly part of Scotland) and come along with us ; as you can carry the basket, and open the gates for Helen. To-morrow morning will be time enough for you to give me your answer about Mr. Laurie." John made an awkward bow and a scrape with his foot, and then set off in search of the pony, which was feeding on a green flat plain by the

THE ESKDALE HERD-BOY.

side of a river, which sort of meadow in that country is called a holm. The animal appeared very quiet, and suffered John to come close to him, without attempting to move ; but the moment he tried to put out his hand to take hold of him, off went the pony as fast he could scamper. When he got at a little distance, he stopped and looked back at John, who again approached and attempted to lay hold of him, but with no better success. All this was observed by Helen, for the green plat, where she stood, overlooked the holm ; and though she could not help laughing at first, on seeing John's awkward attempts to catch the pony, yet as she was a good-natured little girl, she soon ran into the house and begged a little corn of her papa, and having put it in her pinafore, she skipped down the lane with it to the holm, where holding it out to let Bob (for that was the pony's name) see it, he instantly began trotting towards her, neighing with pleasure. She then told John to throw the halter over Bob's neck while he was eating, and he might jump on his back and ride him up to the stable, where he would find the side-saddle. John very soon appeared in front of the house, with the pony neatly combed, brushed, and ornamented with a very pretty little white side-saddle and bridle- a present which Helen had received from her grand-mamma, the last time she had visited Eskdale. tk My dear Helen," said the old lady when she presented them to her, " I have brought you this side saddle in hopes that it may induce you to conquer your fears of mounting a horse. I am very anxious, considering the part of the world in which you live, that you should i> THE ESKDALE HERD-BO V.

learn to ride well ; as it may be of essential consequence to you through life. Besides," added she, smiling, " you know, my dear, that unless you are a good horsewoman, I can never have the pleasure of seeing you at Melrose ; for your dear papa cannot afford to send you by any other mode of conveyance. Nothing but practice will ever give you the confidence that is necessary to enable you to accomplish this : and I hope that, whenever you see the pony dressed in his new saddle and bridle, it will remind you of the great delight that I shall have in seeing my dear girl riding up to my door at Melrose." Helen thanked her grandmother, and said she would try if she could learn ; but she hoped her papa would walk close by her side, and make Bob go very slowly at first. Nothing, she was sure, would give her so much pleasure as to go and visit her dear grandmamma. Her mother took an opportunity of speaking to her when they were alone, and told her that if, in the course of the summer, she had gained a sufficient command of her pony and a linn seat in her side-saddle, she should accompany • both her parents to Melrose in August, the time when they usually made their annual visit to the good old lady.

Helen was quite delighted with this promise, and for the moment forgot what she had to accomplish before her journey could take place. However, next morning, on going down stairs, after she had finished her lessons, she found that though she had forgotten all about learning to ride, her father had not ; for before the little glass door of the study stood Bob, the pony, ready saddled and

THE ESKDALE HERD-BOY.

bridled, and her papa waiting anxiously for his little girl's appearance. As soon as he saw her, he called out, " come Helen, my dear, I am quite ready to give you your first lesson in riding, and I hope I shall have an expert little scholar/' Helen walked rather slowly towards her papa ; and when he took her in his arms to put her on the pony, she looked a little pale, but as she had promised to try to learn, she endeavoured to conquer her fears, and suffered herself to be placed on the saddle very quietly. Her father took a great deal of pains to show her how to hold her bridle, and how to manage Bob ; and after making him walk gently two or three times round the green, in front of the house, whilst he himself held her on, Mr. Martin ventured to leave her seated alone, and only walked by her side.

After repeating this for two or three days, Helen began to feel more comfortable, and even was glad when her riding hour arrived. In the course of a week she had ridden as far as the end of the green holm, and had begun to allow Bob to trot home. In another week she had ventured on a canter : and for the last month had improved so much as to become her father's constant companion in all his walks through the parish when he went either to visit the sick, or comfort the afflicted ; duties which are conscientiously performed by the Scottish clergy in general, and by none more regularly than they were by Mr. Martin. Helen now felt that she was rewarded for all the trouble she had had in conquering her fears ; for, besides the pleasure she enjoyed in the exercise, she was by these means enabled to see much more of the beautiful country in which she lived, than she could ever have accomplished by walking ; and besides, her dear father was always by her side, to point out and explain all the beauties of the surrounding scenery, as well as to relate to her many of the little local stories which abound in that part of the country, and possess peculiar interest to the young mind. Her mother, on her return, quite delighted, from one of these charming excursions, took the opportunity of pointing out to her the advantages of perseverance and self-command, and Helen promised, and indeed firmly resolved, never again to allow herself to give way to foolish fears ; nor ever to fancy it impossible to conquer what might at first sight appear difficult, until she had at least tried with her whole mind to overcome the difficulty.

Chapter II

WE must now return to our little party, who were setting out on their excursion towards the glen, that is to say, a deep and narrow opening between the hills which bound the dale.

John had no sooner assisted Helen to mount Bob, than Mr. Martin made his appearance, accompanied by Mrs. Martin, who came to see them set off, she being detained at home that morning, arranging some household affairs, which required her presence, and which would not admit of delay, after wishing them good bye, and giving Helen many charges to be careful, and keep a firm hold of her bridle, Mrs. Martin returned into the house, and the travellers proceeded to follow the windings up towards the glen, where David Little's cottage stood. Nothing can exceed the beauty of this walk. The holm extends above a mile above Mr. Martin's house, divided by a large and rapid river, on each side of which hills rise, almost as high as the eye can reach, covered with a rich, smooth verdure, up to the very top, and seeming to shut out the inhabitants of the valley from all communication with the rest of the world. As Mr. Martin and the young people proceeded leisurely along the road, he related to them several stories which occurred to him at the moment, and which he thought would interest and amuse them. He told them that, in former times, before Scotland and England were united, there were continual wars between the Borderers, or inhabitants of the country on each side of the border dividing the two kingdoms ; and that, in order to check the English from coming over, and plundering the Scotch of their sheep and cattle, one of the Scottish kings, named James, was said to have brought a family of seven brothers, of the name of ELLIOTT, from the Highlands, a stout and hardy race, whom he settled all along the borders of Scotland; "and the Elliotts," said he, "my dears, who, you know, are now so numerous all through the Dale, are said to be descended from these seven brothers." Mr. Martin was going on to tell of Johnnie Armstrong, who was one of the great chieftains of those times, and was a sad enemy to the English, when John, who had been listening with great eagerness to all he had heard, cried out, " Oh ! Johnnie Armstrong ! I have heard of him sir, all the Dale knows about him. He was a great robber, was he not ? I remember my father used to sing some old songs about him to me ; and I think I could repeat part of the verses myself, if Miss Helen would like to hear them, and you, sir, would give me leave." '< Certainly, John," answered Mr. Martin, " I am sure Helen will like to hear them much." John cleared his voice, and after considering a little while, began the following old ballad : —

Some speak of lords, some speak of lairds,

And such like men of high degree ;

Of a gentleman I sing a song,

THE ESKDALE HERD-HOY. 13

The King he writes a loving letter, With his own hand so tenderly, And he hath sent it to Johnnie Armstrong, To come and speak with him speedily.

The Elliotts and Armstrongs did convene, They were a gallant company ; " We'll ride and meet our lawful king, And bring him safe to Gilnockie."

They ran their steeds on the Langholm holm, They ran their steeds with might and main ; The ladies looked from their high windows, God bring our men well back again.

John stopped here and said, " he did not remember the whole ballad, for it was very long, but he knew that the story was that Johnnie was deceived by the king, who only wanted to get him into his power, by enticing him out of his own country ; and having succeeded in this, he caused poor Armstrong and all his followers to be hanged. He would try," he said, and " remember the two last verses, which gave an account of Armstrong's death.

Farewell, my bonny Gilnockhall, Where on Esk side thou standest stout ! If I had lived but seven years more, I would have gilt thee round about.

Because they saved their country dear From Englishmen, none were so bold, While Johnnie lived on the border side, None of them durst come near his hold."

Just as John had finished this ballad, they turned out of the main road- up a narrow path, into the glen. On their right hand a small clear brook, 2 or, as it is called in Scotland, a 5wm, ran down among the brush- wood, now hid from view, now showing its white foam, bursting over the stones v/hich obstructed its passage. The walk from this till our little party reached David's cottage was extremely beautiful, amongst natural woods, varied hills, and bold rocks, over which the burn kept continually pouring, with a loud but pleasing noise, a wooden bridge, which might, indeed, more properly be called a plank, was thrown across the burn at the narrowest part, and rested upon the rock on each side, a little above which stood the remains of an old watch tower Altogether the scene was so beautiful, that, whilst Helen dismounted, and John endeavoured to coax Bob across the bridge, Mr. Martin took out his sketch-book and made a drawing of it.

When they had crossed to the other side, the road took a winding turn among the hills ; and their minds were so impressed with the grandeur of the scenery, that, from the time they quitted the bridge, they ceased speaking ; only pointing out to each other, as they advanced, any new beauty that suddenly presented itself. The cottage was built about half a mile above the bridge, on a shelving bank, which they could only reach by ascending a little path with steps cut in the rock. At the bottom of these rude stairs, Mr. Martin desired John to fasten Bob to the stump of an old tree, which grew conveniently near it. When they reached the top of this ascent, they found a small clay-built hut, thatched with furze, erected close under the shelter of an immense roek, which hung with frowning grandeur over it.