Genealogie of the Sainteclaires of Rosslyn

14 - GENEALOGIE OF THE
upon Pentland Hills, which then was the King's forreft, and when his
nobles were all affembled, and had made two or three days paftime, he
declared to them how he had oft hunted a white faunch deer, neither ever
could his hounds prevaill, and defired them if they had any to try them.
They hearing the King's fpeech, denied that they had any could kill the
deer. Sir William Saintclair, haveing two red fellow hounds, named
Help and Hold, fays, not thinking that any fhould charge his words, that
he would wager his head that they fhould kill the deer before ever fhe
came over the marche burne ; but the words no fooner evanifhed in the
aire, but it was declared to the King, who takeing indignation that his
hounds fhould be fpeedieft, would have him abide att his word, and laid
againft his head all Pentland Hills and Pentland Moor, with the Foreft,
and immediately he caufed make proclamation that all fhould bind up
their hounds, and be quiet, leaft they fhould affray the deer, except a few
horfemen, with ratches to fearch her forth. Sir William Saintclair,
greatly aftonifhed att that, went with his hounds to the beft hounding
part he could find, and, according to the cuftome of that time, he prayed
to Chrift, the bleffed Virgin Marie, and Sainte Kathrine, as mediators, to
fave him from danger. His prayer was no fooner ended but the deer, by
clamour of the people being raifed, came off the back hills to that part
where he was, who hunting his hound called Hold, firft, then Help, and
followed fpeedily himfelf, being mounted upon a gallant fteed, till he faw
the hinde paffe to the middle of the burne, wherat he fell on his face, be-
feachins; Chrift to have mercie on him, but the hound called Hold came
to the deer, and made her ftay in the burne, and then Help came and
made her goe to the fame fide where Sir William was, and there flew
her. The King fieing this, came and embraced Sir William, and gave
him thofe lands in free foreftrie, which contained the Kirktone, Logan
houfe, Earncraig, Whitehaugh, Eafter and Wefter Summerhopes, Back
and For Spittles, Midlethird, and Skipperfields. After this Sir William
Saintclair, in remembrance of this, in the place where he made his laft