Page:Ancient and modern history of Buck-haven in Fife-shire (4).pdf/22

22 and that his fadder was Willie Thomſon's fon, who was baniſhed for a ſlave to the May to carry coals; he would not take with him on account he had but an eye. After that there was no more dancing at admitting of burghers; but the old uſual way of ſcate rumple, and then drink until they were almoſt blind.

Upon the Rood day, four young Bucky laſſies went away early in the morning with their creels full of fiſh; about a mile frae the town they ſaw coming down a brae, like a man riding on a beaſt, when they came near, Tardy-Tibb ſays, It's a man riding on a big maukin. Tibb ſlang her creel and fiſh away, the other three ran another way, and get clear they ſaid it was a horn' de'il. Tibb told the frightſome ſtory, and many ran out to ſee the poor man (cadger and his aſs) riding on the auld mauken. The

fiſhers took on all maukens to be devils and witches and if they but ſee a ſight of a dead mauken, it ſets them a trembling; The fiſher laſſes look with diſdain on a farmer's daughter, and a' country laſſes, they call them mucky-byres and ſherney tail'd jades.

The Buck lads and laſſes when they go to gather bait, tell ſtrange ſtories about ghoſts, witches, willie with