Page:History of Buckhaven, or, The exploits of Wise Willie and Witty Eppie.pdf/12

12 came bladdering about the buttock meal, sum- moned him and her before the haly band, a court that was held in the kirk on Saturday morning; and all the herd laddies round about, cried, ay, ay, Sandy, pay the bill siller, or we'll cut the cow's tail away. So poor Sandy suffered sadly in the flesh, beside the penalty and kirk penance.

But Wise Willie took pity, on them, and gade wi' them to the kirk's court, what learned folk call the session. Jenny was first called upon, and in she goes, where all the haly band was con- vened, elders and younger deacons, and dog-payer keeping the door, the cankerdest carle that could be gotten between Dysart and Dubbyside, white heads and bald heads, sitting wanting bonnets, wi' their white headed staves and hodden grey jockey coats about them.

Mess John say come awa Janet, we're waiting on you here. Minister. Now Janet, where was this child gotten? Janet. A deed sir, it was gotten amang the black stanes, at the cheek, o' the crab holes.

Mess John stares at her, not knowing the place, but some of the elders did. Then said he, O Janet but the devil was busy, with you at that time.

Janet. by my fegs, sir, that's a great lie ye're telling now, for the de'il was nae there,