Page:Ancient and modern history of Buck-haven in Fife-shire (2).pdf/22

(22) was baniſh’d for a ſtave to the May, to carry coals; he would not tak with him, on account be had but ae eye. After that there was no more dancing at admitting of burgers; but the old uſual way of ſcate rumple, and then drink until they were almoſt blind.

Upon the Road day, four young bucky laſſes went away early in the morning with there creels full of fiſh, and about a mile from the town, they ſaw coming down a brae like a man driving a beaſt, when they came near Tardy-Tib ſays, ’tis a man driving a big mauken Tib ſlang her creel and fiſh away, the other three ran another way, and got clear; they ſaid it

was a horned devil. Tib told the frightſome ſtory, and many ran to ſee the poor cadger man and his aſs driving the auld mauken. The fiſhers look on all maukens to be devils and witches, and if they but ſee a ſight of a dead mauken, i ſets them a trembling. The fiſher laſſes look with diſtain on a farmer's daughter, and a country laſſes, they call them muck-byers and ſherney-tail'd jades.

Th bucky lads and laſſes when they go to gather bait tell ſtrange ſtories about Witches Ghoſts, Wil-