Page:Exploits of Wise Willie and Witty Eppie, the ale-wife, of Buckhaven (1).pdf/8

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alive: And as they came near the place, the aſs fell a-crying, which cauſed many of them to faint and run back. Na, na, co' Willie, that's nae the de'il's words at a', it's my Lord's trumpeter touting on his braſs whiſtle. Willie ventured till he ſaw the aſs's twa lugs, Now, cried Willie back to the reſt, come forward an' had him faſt! I ſee his twa horns; hech, ſirs, he has a white beard like an auld beggar man! So they incloſed the poor aſs on all ſides, thinking it was the de'il; but when Wiſe Willie ſaw he had nae cloven feet, he cried out, Scarna lads, this is not the de'il, it's ſome living beaſt; it's neither cow nor horſe. An' what is't then, Willie? Indeed, co' Willie, it's the father o' the maukins, I ken by its lang lugs.

Now, ſome ſay this hiſtory is too ſatirical; but it is according to the knowledge of thoſe times, not to ſay any place by ancther. The old wives will tell you yet of many ſuch ſtories, of the devil appearing to their grandfathers and grandmothers; and dead wives coming back again to viſit their families long after being dead: So this Buckhaven was once noted for droll exploits; but it is now become more known, and a place ſaid to produce the hardieſt watermen, or ſailors, of any town on the Scots coaſt. Yet, many of the old people in it ſtill retain the old tincture of their ancient and uncultivated ſpecch, ſuch as, Be-go Jaddie; they are alſo of a fiery nature, for if you ak any of their wives, where their