This is impossibly absurd! As Colonel Elliot writes, "I pointed out in
my book" (The Trustworthiness of Border Ballads) "that the allegation
that Buccleuch had refused to strike a blow at a party of English
raiders, who had insolently ridden some twenty-five miles into Scottish
ground and into the very middle of his own territory, was too absurd to
be believed . . . " {91a}
Certainly; and the story is the more ridiculous as Buccleuch (who has
taken Telfer's protection-money, or "blackmail") pretends to believe
that Telfer--living in Ettrick, about nine miles from Selkirk--pays
protection-money to Martin Elliot, residing at Preakinhaugh, high up
the water of Liddel. Martin was too small a potentate, and far too
remote to be chosen as protector by a man living near the farm of
Singlee on Ettrick, and near the bold Buccleuch.
All this is nonsense. Colonel Elliot sees that, and suggests that all
this is not by the original poet, but has been "inserted at some later
period." {91a} But, if so, WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL BALLAD BEFORE THE
INSERTION? As it stands, all hinges on this impossible refusal of
Buccleuch to help his neighbour and retainer, James Telfer.
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