Scotland/Scots > Wilson's tales of the Borders and of Scotland > Volume 3

190
'"'TALES OP THE BORDERS.
taining their own identity. Young as I was, had I been
at ease, I could have enjoyed the extraordinary scene
before me; but, alas! I was a partaker of all the feelings
that were passing in their minds. At length they broke
silence—
' Willie, Willie, what’s come owre us now ? ’ cried Peter.
‘ Indeed I do not know, Peter,’ replied he; ‘ but I fear it
is no good.’
‘ What good can be expected from such company as we
were in last night?’ continued the first, ‘ and such drinking
as we had. O Willie, had you come away when I wanted
—but I am as bad as you, or I would have left you when I
threatened.’
‘ There is no use to reflect upon what is done, when it
cannot be undone,’ said his friend. ‘ I fear the deceitful
scoundrels drugged our liquor; for I have no recollection
of anything that occurred after your proposing to leave
them.’
Then, addressing me, he asked if I knew where they
were, or in what ship. I answered that I did not, further
than that, from what I had seen and heard, I thought we
were on board of a vessel they called the Betsy; and then
gave them an account of all I had witnessed the evening
before. The younger of the two began to weep like a
child; while the other, whose rage knew no bounds, swore
fearfully at the two ruffians who had betrayed them into
their present situation. When he became more calm, I
requested him to explain himself; and learned from him
his own history and that of his companion. They were
schoolfellows, cousins, and fellow-apprentices ; had served
their time as joiners; and then left their native village,
to pursue their calling in the capital, with some views,
though not matured, of emigrating to America. Having
been unsuccessful in obtaining work in the city, they had
come down to Leith to make inquiries about a passage to