If Buccleuch did not refuse help he gave
it, and there was no ride by Telfer to Martin Elliot. Therefore,
without a passage "too absurd to be believed" (Buccleuch's refusal),
THERE COULD BE NO ELLIOTS IN THE STORY. The alternative is, that
Telfer in Ettrick DID pay blackmail to a man so remote as Elliot of
Preakinhaugh, though Buccleuch was his chief and his neighbour. This
is absurd. Yet Colonel Elliot firmly maintains that the version, in
which the Elliots have all the glory and Buccleuch all the shame, is
the original version, and is true on essential points.
That is only possible if we cut out the verses about Buccleuch and make
an Ettrick man not appeal to him, but go direct to a Liddesdale man for
succour. He must run from Dodhead to Coultartcleugh, get a horse from
Jock Grieve (Buccleuch's man and tenant), and then ride into Liddesdale
to Martin. But an Ettrick man, in a country of Scotts, would
inevitably go to his chief and neighbour, Buccleuch: it is
inconceivable that he should choose the remote Martin Elliot as his
protector, and go to HIM.
Pages:
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136