Page:Exploits of wise Willie and witty Eppie, the ale-wife, of Buckhaven (2).pdf/17



17                        when they were hunted The swine came very often in about their houses, seeking fish guts and any thing they could get: So it happened, when one of the children was sitting easing itself, that one of the swine tumbled it over, and bit a                        piece out of its backside! The whole town rose in an uproar against poor grunkie, and they caught her, and takes her before Wise Willie. Willie took an                        axe and cut two or three inches off her long nose. Now, says Willie, I trow I                        hae made thee something like another beast; thon had sic a lang mouth before, it was a frighted a very de'il to look at                        ye, but now ye're fac'd like a little horse or cow. The poor sow ran home roar- ing, all blood, and wanting the nose: which caused Muiredge to warn them in                        before my Lord. So the wives that had their kail eaten appeared first in the Court, complaining against Muiredge. Indeed, my Lord, said they, Muiredge is no a good man, when he is sic an ill neighbour; he keeps black hares and white hares, little we brown-backed hares wi' white arses, an louse wigging horns; they creep in at our water gush holes an does the like: When we cry pussie, pussie, they rin hame to Muir- edge: But I'll gar my colly had them fast by the fit, an I'll had them by the