e that Inglis men and Scottes hes had on baitht the
boirdours, ilk are witht utheris, in merchandeis, in selling and
buying hors and nolt, and scheip, outfang and infang, ilk are amang
utheris, the whilk familiarite is express contrar the lauis and
consuetudis bayth of Ingland and Scotland. In auld tymis it was
determit in the artiklis of the pace, be the twa wardanis of the
boirdours of Ingland and Scotland, that there suld be na familiarite
betwix Scottis men and Inglis men, nor marriage to be contrakit betwix
them, nor conventions on holydais at gammis and plays, nor merchandres
to be maid amang them, nor Scottis men till enter on Inglis grond,
witht out the king of Ingland's save conduct, nor Inglis men til
enter on Scottis grond witht out the King of Scotland's save conduct,
howbeit that ther war sure pace betwix the twa realmes. Bot thir sevyn
yeir bygane, thai statutis and artiklis of the pace are adnullit,
for ther hes been as grit familiarite, and conventions, and makyng of
merchandreis, on the boirdours, this lang tyme betwix Inglis men and
Scottis men, baytht in pace and weir, as Scottismen usis amang theme
selfis witht in the realme of Scotland: and sic familiarite has bene
the cause that the kyng of Ingland gat intelligence witht divers
gentlemen of Scotland."

_Complaynt of Scotland_, _Edin_. 1801, p. 164.]

This humanity and moderation was, on certain occasions, entirely laid
aside by the borderers. In the case of deadly feud, either against an
Englishman, or against any neighbouring tribe, the whole force of the
offended clan was bent to avenge the death of any of their number.
Their vengeance not only vented itself upon the homicide and his
family, but upon all his kindred, on his whole tribe; on every one, in
fine, whose death or ruin could affect him with regret.--_Lesley_, p.
63; _Border Laws_, _passim_; _Scottish Acts_, 1594, c. 231. The
reader will find, in the following collection, many allusions to
this infernal custom, which always overcame the marcher's general
reluctance to shed human, blood, and rendered him remorselessly
savage.

For fidelity to their word, Lesley ascribes high praise to the
inhabitants of the Scottish frontier. When an instance happened to
the contrary, the injured person, at the first border meeting, rode
through the field, displaying a glove (the pledge of faith) upon the
point of his lance, and proclaiming the perfidy of the person, who had
broken his word. So great