Page:Tales for the farmers' ingle-neuk (1).pdf/17

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17

smaller of these loose stones into these holes and ruts; and to remove the larger ones to the side, where they would form a fence between the road and the hill! There are enough of idle boys in the Glen to effect all this, by working at it for one hour a- week during the summer. But then their fathers must unite in setting thew to work; and there is not one in the Glen who would not sooner have his horses lamed, and his carts torn to pieces, than have his son employed in a work that would benefit his neighbours as much as himself!”

 At the foot of a short precipice, the road

again made a sudden turn, and discovered to them a misfortune which threatened to put a stop to their proceeding any further, for the present evening. It was no other than the overturn of a cart of hay, oc- casioned by the breaking down of a bridge, along which it had been passing.

 At first indeed, neither boy nor horse

were seen; but as Mr Stewart advanced to examine whether, by removing the hay, which partly covered the bridge, and part- ly hung suspended on the bushes, the road might still be passable, he heard a child’s voice in the hollow, exclaiming, “Come on, ye muckle brute! ye had as weel come on! I’ll gar ye! I’ll gar ye! That’s a gude beast now; come awa ! That’s it! Ay, ye’re a gude beast now.”