Page:History of Buchaven (sic) in Fifeshire (2).pdf/10

 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 burden's o' fish, he'll e'en gang his wa, and no fash 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 kintra 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 lingle-tail'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 a-crying, which caused many of them to faint and run back. Na, na, co' Willie, that's no the deil's words at a', its my Lord's trumpeter, routing on his brass whistle. Willie ventured till he saw the ass's twa lugs. Now, said Willie, come forward, an' haud him fast, I see his twa horns; hech, sirs, he has a white beard like an auld man. So they inclos-