ANOTHER PART OF THE RIVER. 55 



can aid you in your perplexity. Come, be talkative ; 

 unlock your jaw-bones, and let run the reels of your 

 discourse. 



1st Poacher. We'll tak the jaw oot o' you first, 

 Maister Muckle-gab. There's naethin' like a richt 

 lesson for you gentry. Sae hand till them, Wat, and 

 let them ken it. 



2d Poacher. That we will, there's nae mistakin'. 

 Come on, chaps. 



3d Poacher. Losh ! sic a clooter as I hae gotten frae 

 this lang chiel ! It has amaist dang in the neb o' me ! 

 His neive's like a perfect sledge-hammer. I carma 

 stand till't ony langer. 



1st Poacher. Ye're 110 gaun to cut, Rab, ye white- 

 livered loon ? Back, if ye're wise, or ye needna peril 

 a sicht o' your shadow for thae three twalmonths. 

 Wat, man, can ye no tak' the spunk oot o' that sma' 

 weasel-lookin' callant ? 



2d Poacher. Faith, Jock, its kittlish wark gettin' a 

 grip o' him ; he's like the tail o' a moss-ether, gye an 

 ill to hand, forbye the stang. Deil tak him ! if the 

 varmint hasna driven twa o' my foreteeth doon my 

 thrapple. It's waesome to part wi' sic auld freends. 



\st Poacher. Get his head doon aneath your oxter, 

 and lay it in till him like the very mischief. 



2d Poacher. Easier said than dune ; it's ill seem' 

 through a patch o' blue waifers ; my barrel ee's 

 naethin' better at present. But what's the ganger 

 aboot ? 



