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 parts 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,
Sometime called Laird of Gilnockie.

The King he writes a loving letter,