As far as the weather was concerned, the harvest was a delightful one, for the sun shone brightly every day, and there blew a gentle breeze to help to dry and “win” the corn.
As a crop, too, the yield was average, so Farmer M‘Crae was hopeful and happy.
Then came the day when “kliack” would be taken, that is, when the last or kliack sheaf would be cut.
As they neared the last “bout” cried Sandie, “Look out now, Geordie, for the kliack hare!”
It is very strange, but true, that a hare very frequently starts off from the last “bout” of corn that is cut on the harvest-field. This time was no exception.
A splendid long brown-legged beast darted off for the woods.
Up to his shoulder went Geordie’s old gun.
Bang!
The echo rang back from the woods, and went reverberating away among the rocky hills, but puss was intact. She gave her heels an extra kick, took to the forest, and was seen no more.
So the hare was declared to be a witch, and no more was said about it.