Murders > Tales for the farmers' ingle-neuk

1G
“ V on may see how it happened plain eneugh,”
returned the boy, ‘ the brig brak, and the cart
co tippet.’
“ And did you and the horse coup likewise?”
said Mr Stewart.
O ay, we a’ couppet thegether, for I was
ridin’ on his back.”
“ And where is your father, and all the rest
of tlie folk ?”
“ ^ bar sud they be but in the hay-field !
Dinna ye ken that we’re takin’ in our hay?
John ramson’s and Jamie Forster’s was in a
wook syne ; but we’re aye ahint the lave.”
Having learned from the boy that the hay-
field was at no great distance, I gave him sorhe
halfpence to hasten his speed, njsd promised to
take care of his horse till he should return with
assistance.
He soon appeared, followed by his father and
two other men, who came on stepping at their
usual pace, “ Why, farmer,” said Mr Stewart,
“you have trusted rather too long to this rotten
plank, I think,” (pointing to where it had given
way;) “ If you remember, the last time I passed
this road, which was several months since, I
then told you that the bridge was in danger, and
shewed yon how easily it might be repaired ?”
“ It is a’ true,” said the farmer, moving his
bonnet; “ but I thought it would do weel
eneugh. I spoke to Jamie Forster and John
Tamson about it; but they said they wudna
fash to mend a brig that was to serve a’ the
folk in the Glen.”