Page:Ancient and modern history of Buck-haven in Fifeshire.pdf/20

20 Lord, we were aboon ither on the mussel midden, I trow I tell'd him o' Randy Rob his uncle, his feiftitty it steal'd de sarks and drank de siller, an how his midder sell’d mauky mutton, and mair nor a' that, a sae did I een, my Lord.

My Lord had a friend of his own who was a captain in the army, who came to visit him, and hearing of the Bucker's sayings and exploits, was desirous to see them, and my Lord as desirous to put them in a fright, sent his servant, and ordered them, both men and women, to come up before his gate, directly the morn about kail-time, and all that did not come, was to flit and remove out of my Lord's ground directly, this put the whole of them in great terror, some ran to Wise Willy to see what it mean'd; Willy said, it was before somethin and he was sure that death would be the warst o't, come what will; But Witty Eppie said, I ken weel what's to come, he's gaun to mak de men a' sogers, and the wives dragoons, because we're de best fighters; I ken there is something to come on the town, for our Nancy saw Maggy's gaist the streen, it was bury'd four ouks syne; a hech, co' Willy, that's a sign the meat is dear i' the ither warld, when she comes to think on't again; we will tak our dinner or we go, we'll maybe ne'er come back again, so away they went lamenting all in a crowd. My Lord and the Captain were looking out at the window to them, the Captain cries to them, To the right about, to which they answered, good bliss you, my Lord, what does that man say? Then said my Lord, turn your face to Maggy Millheads, and your arse to the sea; this they did all in haste. And what will we do now? said Willy; no more, said my Lord, but gang away home Willy; O my bows, O my blessings come o'er your bonny face, my Lord, I wish you may never die, nor yet grow sick, nor naebody kill you: ye’re the