virtue of his high magisterial office, Will exercised the functions of country keeper (as it was called), or restorer of stolen property; which he was able often to do, when it suited his own inclination or interest, very effectually, through his extensive influence among the neighbouring tribes, and his absolute dominion over his own.
Upon the death of old Will, a sort of civil war broke out among the Yetholm clans: an usurper thrust himself into the office of the deceased, but was dispossessed, after a battle, by the loyal subjects who adhered to the legitimate heir. This bold rebel was the leader of an inferior tribe, and the immediate successor of another doughty chief, usually known by the appropriate title of the Earl of Hell. He is alluded to at page 54, being the same individual, who, on the occasion there mentioned, "had rubbit shouthers wi' the gallows."
Among the many traditionary gypsey anecdotes which we used formerly to hear related, was the following very characteristic one of Jean Gordon. We avoided mentioning it in a more appropriate place last Number, having forgot some of the names which serve to authenticate it, and which we are now enabled to supply through the kindness of a correspondent. It happened that Jean's husband, Geordie Faa, was murdered at one of their clan-meetings by Rob Johnstone, another gypsey, who stabbed him with a graip, a sort of large three-pronged fork used about farm offices. Johnstone was instantly apprehended and committed to Jedburgh jail; out of which, however, he soon contrived to break, and got clear off the country. But it was easier to escape from the grasp of justice than to elude gypsey vengeance: Jean Gordon traced the murderer like a blood-hound—followed him to Holland—and from thence to Ireland, where she got him seized and brought back to Jedburgh; and she at length obtained a full reward for her toils, by enjoying the gratification of seeing him hanged on the Gallow-hill. Some time afterward, Jean being up at Sourhope, a sheep-farm on Bowmont Water, the goodman there said to her, "Weel, Jean, ye hae got Rob Johnstone hanged at last, and out o' the way."—" Aye, gudeman!" replied Jean, lifting up her apron by the two corners, "and a' that fu' o' gowd has nae done't."—Jean's "apron-fu' o' gowd," may perhaps remind some of our readers of Meg Merrilies' pock of jewels—and the whole transaction indeed forcibly recalls the powerful picture of that stern and intrepid heroine.
Two curious documents, relating to the early history of the gypsies in Scotland, which we had overlooked in our former researches, have been pointed out to us by a learned friend.—The first is a letter from King James the Fourth to the King of Denmark, dated 1506, in favour of Anthony Gawino, Earl of Little Egypt, and his followers;—which serves to ascertain pretty exactly what we formerly wanted—the date of the first arrival of the race in this country. His majesty specifies, that this miserable train had visited Scotland by command of the pope, being upon a pilgrimage; that they had conducted themselves properly, and now wished to go to Denmark: He therefore solicits the extension of his royal uncle's munificence toward them; adding, at the same time, that these wandering Egyptians must be better known to him, because the kingdom of Denmark was nearer to Egypt!—This epistle is mentioned in a short but comprehensive account of the gypsies, in the tenth volume of the Edinburgh Encyclopaedia.
The other article is an Act of the Lords of Council, dated at Stirling, June 6, 1541, and refers to the dispute, formerly mentioned, between Johnne Faw and his rebellious subjects, who it appears had now mutually agreed "to passe home, and to haue the samyn decydit before the Duke of Egipt." It is evident, that both the chieftain and his followers had greatly declined in credit with the Scottish government since the preceding year:—He is no longer complimented with his high title; the letters and privileges formerly granted had been revoked; and the Lords of Council proceed forthwith (for certain cogent reasons) to pass sentence of banishment upon the whole race, at thirty days warning, and under the pain of death.
Copies of both these papers will be found in our Antiquarian Repertory.
(To be continued.)
