64 ENCOUNTER WITH TRAMPS. CHAP. iv. 



After resting himself for a time, he started up and 

 set off at full speed for Montrose. On his way he 

 saw numerous things that he would have liked to 

 take with him, and numerous woods that he would 

 have gone into and searched with right good will ; 

 but the thought of the journey before him put all 

 other things aside. Kettle was still a long way off ; 

 and besides, he still wanted the additional pontage 

 penny, in order to cross Montrose Bridge. He went 

 on and overtook a girl. He asked her if she would 

 buy a knife. "No!" 



He next overtook a man and woman with a lot 

 of bairns. They looked rather suspicious. He tried 

 to avoid them, and walked faster, but the man 

 addressed him : " Stop a minute, laddie ; ye're in 

 an awfy hurry!" "Yes," said Edward, "I am in a 

 hurry." " But have ye ony baccy ?" " No, I have 

 no baccy." "Try if he has ony clink," said the 

 woman. "Have ye ony brass?" "No." "Take 

 him, ye sheep," said the woman to her husband, " and 

 squeeze him." Tom, on hearing this, immediately 

 betook himself to his heels, and being a good runner, 

 soon left them far behind. 



At length he reached Montrose. Seeing some boys 

 gazing in at a shop window, he went up to them and 

 asked if they would buy a knife. " No !" Edward 

 thought he would never get rid of his knife. He 

 must raise a penny to get over Montrose bridge, 

 and yet he had nothing but his knife to sell He 



