ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 47 



Maybe we 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 haud 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-ham- 

 mer. I canna stand till't ony langer. 



1st Poacher. Ye're no gaun' to cut, Rab, ye 

 white-livered loon ? Back, if ye're wise, or ye need- 

 na 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, it's kittlish wark gettin' 

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

 an' ill to haud, forbye the stang. Deil tak him ! if 

 the varmint hasna driven twa o' my foreteeth doon 

 my thrapple. It's waesome to par.t wi' sic auld 

 freends. 



1st Poacher. Get his head doon aneath your 

 oxter, and lay it intill him like the very mischief. 



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

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

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

 aboot ? 



