Page:History of Buchaven (sic) in Fifeshire (1).pdf/10

10 but they didna ken what he said, for it was waur than a highlandman’s ; the whole town was in an uproar; some would go with picks and spades, and hagg him to pieces ; others would go and catch him in a strong net, and then they would either hang or drown him. Na, na, co' Wise Willie, we manna cast out wi' him at the first, as he’s gotten the twa burdens o’ fish, he’ll e’en gang his wa, and no ſash us nae mair; he is o’er souple to be catch’d in a net; a’ your pith will neither hang nor drown him, and the kintry he comes frae is a’ het coals, he’d never burn ; We’ll gae to him in a civil manner, and see what he wants, Get out Witty Eppie and lingletail'd Nancy wi' the Bible and Psalm-book : so aff they came in a crowd, either to kill the deil, or catch him alive; and as they came near the place, the ass fell acrying, which caused many of them to faint and run back. No, na, co' Willie, that’s no the deil’s words at a’, its my Lord’s trumpter, routing on his brass whistle. Willie ventured till he saw the ass’ twa lugs. Now, said Willie, come forwards an’ haud him fast, I see his twa horns; hech sir, he has a white beard like an auld man. So they inclosed the poor