see a licht i’ the session-hoose, there’s nae saying what they micht do to us to get their ⟨en’s⟩ effecket.” “Then, faither,” Said Saundy what’s the use o’ taking ony buiks wi’ you? I’m sure, when ye canna read without ⟨specks⟩ at a burnin’ cannle, ye’ll far less can ⟨read ony⟩ at the moon.”
“Tut, tut, bairn!” said Saunders, “⟨they⟩ are ay gude to hae aside ane, make ⟨what⟩ use o’ them ye like. Gude knows ⟨what⟩ kin’ o’ faes we may hae to contend wi’ afore mornin’, an’ mony an evil speerit has be ⟨been⟩ fleyed awa wi’ the word o’ Gude, ⟨whan⟩ nocht else wud do at them.” “ Then” replied Saundy, “if we’re to hae only thae ⟨kin’⟩ o’ craitirs to deal wi’, it was needless ⟨takin’⟩ the guns wi’ us. What can guns do ⟨at⟩ speerits?” “Stupit gomeril!” cried ⟨his⟩ father, “isna the guns to be used ⟨against⟩ ony arm o’ flesh we may hae to contend wi'? D’ye think I’m daft enough to believe the speerits could be hurt wi’ them? If ye see ⟨ony⟩ body cornin’ aboot the grave, yee’ll ⟨shoot⟩ an’ I’ll tak’ the buiks in my han’.” “⟨Na,⟩ faither, ye maun shoot, an’ I’ll do that,” said Saundy, “Gosh! I never fired a gun ⟨in⟩ my life; an’ if she strikes back, and knocks me owre, than I’ll miss my aim, an’ ⟨oo’ll⟩ baith be murdered!” “Tut, come ⟨awa,⟩ bletherin’!” said his father—“ye see ⟨it’s⟩ gettin’ dark already; an’ if we’re no ⟨there⟩
