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'There was a favourite of his, a great thief, called Geordie
Bourne. This gallant, with some of his associates,would in
bravery come and take goods in the East March. I had that
night some of the garrison abroad, who met with this Geordie
and his followers driving off cattle before them. The
garrison set upon them, and with a shot killed Geordie
Bournes uncle; and he himself, bravely resisting till he was
sore hurt in the head, was taken. After he was taken, his
pride was such, as he asked who it was that durst avow that
night's work? but when he heard it was the garrison, he was
then more quiet.
'But so powerful and awful was this Sir Robert Ker and his
favourites, that there was not a gentleman in all the East
March that durst offend them. Presently after he was taken I
had most of the gentlemen of the March come to me, and told
me, that now I had the ball at my foot, and might bring Sir
Robert Ker to what condition I pleased; for this man's life
was so near and dear to him, as I should have all that my
heart could desire for the good and quiet of the country and
myself, if upon conditions I would give him his life. I
heard them, and their reasons; notwithstanding, I called a
jury next morning, and he was found guilty of March treason.
Then they feared that I would cause him to be executed that
afternoon, which made them come flocking to me, humbly
intreating me that I would spare his life till the next day;
and if Sir Robert Ker came not himself to me, and made me
not such proffers as I could not but accept, that then I
should do with him what I pleased. And further, they told me
plainly, that if I should execute him before I heard from
Sir Robert Ker, they must be forced to quit their houses and
fly the country; for his fury would be such against me and
the March I commanded, as he would use all his power and
strength to the utter destruction of the East Marche. They
were so earnest with me, that I gave them my word he should
not die that day. There was post upon post sent to Sir
Robert Ker, and some of them rode to him themselves, to
advertise him in what danger Geordie Bourne was; how he was
condemned, and should have been executed that afternoon, but
by their humble suit I gave them my word that he should not
die that day; and therefore besought him, that he would send
to me with all speed, to let me know that he would be with
me the next day, to offer me good conditions for the safety
of his life.
'When all things were quiet, and the watch set at night,
after supper, about ten o'clock, I took one of my men's
liveries, and put it about me, and took two other of my
servants with me in their liveries, and we three, as the
Warden's men, came to the Provost Marshall's where Bourne
was, and were let into the chamber. We sat down by him, and
told him that we were desirous to see him, because we heard
he was stout and valiant, and true to his friend; and that
we were sorry our master could not be moved to save his
life. He voluntarily of himself said, that he had lived long
enough to do so much as he had done, and withal told us,
that he had lain with above forty men's wives, what in
England, what in Scotland; and that he had killed seven
Englishmen with his own hands: that he had spent his whole
time in whoring, and drinking, stealing and taking deep
revenge for slight offences. He seemed to be very penitent,
and much desired a minister for the comfort of his soul. We
promised him to let our master know his desire, who we knew
would presently grant it. We took our leave of him; and
presently I took order that Mr Selby, a very worthy honest
preacher, should go to him, and not stir from him till his
execution the next morning: for after I had heard his own
confession, I was resolved no conditions could save his
life; and so took order, that at the gates opening next
morning, he should be carried to execution, which
accordingly was performed. In the same morning I had one
from Sir Robert Ker for a parley, who was within two miles
staying for me. I sent him word I would meet him where he
pleased, but I would first know upon what terms and
conditions. Before his man was returned, he had heard that
in the morning very early Geordie Bourne had been executed.
Many vows he made of cruel revenge, and returned home full
of grief and disdain; and from that time forwards still
plotted revenge. He knew the gentlemen of the country were
all together fackless, and to make open road upon the March
would but shew his malice, and lay him open to the
punishment due to such offences; but his practice was how to
be revenged on me, or some of mine. It was not ling after,
that my brother and I had intelligence that there was a
great match made at foot-ball, and the chief riders were to
be there. The place they were to meet at was Shelsey, and
that day we heard it was the day for the meeting. We
presently called a council, and after much dispute, it was
concluded, that the likeliest place he was to come to was to
kill the Scouts; and it was the more suspected, for that my
brother (who was deputy Warden before my coming to the
office,) for cattle stolen out of the bounds, and as it were
from under the walls of Berwick, being refused justice upon
his complaint, or at least delayed, sent off the garrison
into Liddesdale, and killed there the chief offender which
had done the wrong. Upon this conclusion, there was order
taken that both horse and foot should lie in ambush in
divers parts of the bounds, to defend the scouts, and give a
sound blow to Sir Robert and his company. Before the horse
and foot were set out with directions what to do, it was
almost dark night, and the gates ready to be locked. We
parted, and I was by myself coming to my house; God put it
into my mind, that it might well be he meant destruction to
my men that I had sent out to gather tithes for me at
Norham; and their rendezvous was every night to sup and lie
at an ale-house in Norham. I presently caused my page to
take horse, and to ride as fast as his horse could carry
him, and to command my servants (who were in all eight) that
presently upon his coming to them, they should all change
their lodging, and go straight to the castle, there to lie
that night in straw or hay. Some of them were unwilling
thereto, but durst not disobey; so all
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