Page:Four funny tales.pdf/18



He coudna ſee his thumb before him: But, clack-clack-clack, he heard a mill, Whilk led him by the lugs theretil. To tak the thread of tale alang, This mill to Halbert did belang; Not leſs this note your notice claims, This ſcholar's name was Maſter James.

Now, ſmiling muſe, the prelude paſt, Smoothly relate a tale ſhall laſt As lang as Alps and Grampian hills, As lang as wind or water-mills.

In enter'd James, Hab ſaw and kend him, And offer'd kindly to befriend him With fic good cheer as he cou'd make Baith for his ain and father's ſake. The ſcholar thought himſelf right ſped, And gave him thanks in terms wiel bred. Quoth Hab, I canna leave my mill As yet;———but ſtep ye weſt the kill A bow-ſhot, and ye'll find my hame: Gae warm ye, and crack with our dame, 'Till I ſet aff the mill, ſyne we Shall tak' what Beſſy has to gi'e. James, in return, what's handſome ſaid, O'er lang to tell; and aff he gade Out of the houſe ſome light did ſhine, Which led him till't as with a line: Arriv'd, he knock'd, for doors were ſteekit; Straight thro' a window Beſſy keekit, And cries, "Wha's that gi'es fowk a fright At fic untimeous time of night?" James with good humour, maiſt diſcreetly, Tald her his circumſtance completely. "I dinna ken ye," quoth the wife, "And up and down the thieves are rife;' Within my lane, I'm but a woman, Sae I'll unbar my door to nae man, But ſince 'tis very like my dow,