44 TAKES HOME THE ADDER. CHAP. n. 



beyond the stones lay a large piece of turf. He 

 turned it over, and there the creature was ! He was 

 down upon it in an instant, and had it in his hand ! 

 He looked at the beast. It was not an eel. It was very 

 like an ask, but it was six or seven times longer. 



Having tightened his grip of the beast, for it was 

 trying to wriggle out of his hand, he set out for home. 

 He struck the Dee a little below where the Chain 

 Bridge now stands, reaching the ford opposite Dee 

 village, and prepared to cross it. But the water being 

 rather deep at the time, he had to strip and wade 

 across, carrying his clothes in one hand and the " eel" 

 in the other. He had only one available hand, so that 

 getting off and on his clothes, and wading the river 

 breast high, occupied some time. 



On reaching the top of Carmelite Street, he ob- 

 served his mother, Mrs. Kelman, and some other 

 women, standing together at the street door. He 

 rushed in amongst them with great glee, and holding up 

 his hand, exclaimed, "See, mother, sic a bonnie beastie 

 I've gotten." On looking at the object he held in his 

 hand, the conclave of women speedily scattered. 

 They flew in all directions. Edward's mother 

 screamed, " The Lord preserv's! what the sorrow's that 

 ye hae noo?" "Oh, Meggy, Meggy," said Mrs. 

 Kelman, " it's a snake ! Dinna let him in ! For 

 ony sake dinna let him in, or we'll a' be bitten." 

 The entry door was then shut and bolted, and Tom 

 was left out with the beast in his hand. 



