“An wi’ that, they rowed themsels on the bonny corpse; and when I lookit again, there was a fine, plump, bausined roe-deer lying, an’ the blude streamin’ frae her side; an’ down comes the king an’ his men, an’ took her away hame to their supper.”
“Now, Croudy, of all the tales I ever heard that is the most improbable and unnatural! But it is too singular and out of the common course of nature for you to have framed it; and besides, I never knew you to tell a manifest lie—Are you certain that you did not dream it?”
“How could I dream on the top of a tree? Ye may either believe it or no as ye like—it’s a’ true.”
“I was sure there was something more than ordinary about these dogs; but what to make of your story I know not. Saint Waldave be our shield! Do you think the king and his nobles have been feasting upon changed human creatures all this while? There is something in the whole business so revolting to human nature, a man cannot think of it! It seems, too, that there is a plot against the life of the king—What shall we do in this?—The fairies have again been seen at the Eildon Tree, that is certain; and it is said some more young people are missing.”
“They’ll soon hae us a’ thegither—I like that way o’ turnin’ fock into deers an’ raes, and worrying them, warst ava—Mumps, lad, how wad ye like to be turned into a deer, an’ worried an’ eaten?—Aigh, man! ye wad like it ill! I think I see how ye wad lay yoursel out for fear—Ha, ha! I wad like to see ye get a bit hunt, man, if I thought ye wad win away wi’ the life—I wad like to see ye streek yoursel for aince.”
“I wonder, Croudy, after seeing such a sight as you have just now described, that you can descend from that to speak such nonsense.”
“Tongues maun wag—an’ when they gang it’s no for naething—It’s a queer thing speaking!—Mumps, ye can speak nane, man—It’s no for want of a tongue, I’m sure.”
“Let us consider what’s to be done—The king should be warned.”
“I dinna see what’s to hinder you to speak, Mumps, as weel as ony white beagle i’ the country.”
“I have it—I will go home directly and tell pretty Pery—she will apprize the abbot, and we shall have the two hounds, Mooly and Scratch, burnt at the stake to-morrow.”