should then have been thrown up a third time, but
considerable difficulty occurred in arranging the voluntary
auxiliaries from other parishes, so as to make the match
equal; and, as the day began to close, it was found
impossible to bring the strife to an issue, by playing a
decisive game.

"Both parties, therefore, parted with equal honors, but,
before they left the ground, the Sheriff threw up his hat,
and in Lord Dalkeith's name and his own, challenged the
Yarrow men, on the part of the Sutors, to a match to be
played upon the first convenient opportunity, with 100
picked men only on each side. The challenge was mutually
accepted by Lord Home, on his own part, and for Lord John
Scott, and was received with acclamation by the players on
both sides. The principal gentlemen present took part with
one side or other, except the Duke of Buccleuch, who remains
neutral. Great play is expected, and all bets are to be paid
by the losers to the poor of the winning parish. We cannot
dismiss the subject without giving our highest commendation
to the Earl of Home, {p.086} and to Mr. Clarkson, for the
attention which they showed in promoting the spirit and good
order of the day. For the players themselves, it was
impossible to see a finer set of active and athletic young
fellows than appeared on the field. But what we chiefly
admired in their conduct was, that though several hundreds
in number, exceedingly keen for their respective parties,
and engaged in so rough and animated a contest, they
maintained the most perfect good-humor, and showed how
unnecessary it is to discourage manly and athletic exercises
among the common people, under pretext of maintaining
subordination and good order. We have only to regret that
the great concourse of spectators rendered it difficult to
mention the names of the several players who distinguished
themselves by feats of strength or agility; but we must not
omit to record that the first ball was _hailed_ by Robert
Hall, mason in _Selkirk_, and the second by George Brodie,
from _Greatlaws_, upon _Aillwater_.

"The Selkirk party wore slips of fir as their mark of
distinction--the Yarrow men, sprigs of heath.

"Refreshments were distributed to the players by the Duke of
Buccleuch's domestics, in a b