moss-trooper

“Within thirty hours, so he have not crossed the Lothian firth — If it is to do you a pleasure, I will set off directly, and wind him as a sleuth-dog tracks the moss-trooper,” answered

The Monastery 2008

“Such peace as ye give such shall you have,” answered the moss-trooper, first pointing with his lance towards the burned village, and then almost instantly levelling it against Lord Lacy.

Waverley 2004

For my part, I feel that with regard to Nature I live a sort of border life, on the confines of a world into which I make occasional and transient forays only, and my patriotism and allegiance to the state into whose territories I seem to retreat are those of a moss-trooper.

Walking 1969

Homer was a stark moss-trooper, and so was Scott; but the Germans want the cry of "boot and saddle" consumedly.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 56, No. 345, July, 1844 Various

The stark moss-trooper, and the clanking stride of the warrior, had not again started into life; nor had the light blazed gloriously in the sepulchre of the wizard with the mighty book.

Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 54, No. 333, July 1843 Various

'Twas sore-footed that I gained home at last, but all the way I discussed a many plans for the discovery and punishment of my moss-trooper.

Border Ghost Stories Howard Pease

For my part, I feel that with regard to Nature I live a sort of border life, on the confines of a world into which I make occasional and transient forays only, and my patriotism and allegiance to the State into whose territories I seem to retreat are those of a moss-trooper.

Harvard Classics Volume 28 Essays English and American Various

A book of such charms, of that era, taken from the pocket of a moss-trooper or bog-trotter, contained among other things a recipe for the cure of intermittent fever by certain barbarous characts.

Primitive Psycho-Therapy and Quackery Robert Means Lawrence

For my part, I feel that with regard to Nature I live a sort of border life, on the confines of a world into which I make occasional and transional and transient forays only, and my patriotism and allegiance to the State into whose territories I seem to retreat are those of a moss-trooper.

Walking 1914

Moss in Scotland is bog in Ireland, and moss-trooper is bog-trotter: there was, however, one hut built of loose stones, piled up with great thickness into a strong though not solid wall.

Selected English Letters Various 1913