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Page:Ballads of a Bohemian.djvu/188

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186
THE TWA JOCKS

Here, spread yersel oot on yer belly, and slither along in the glaur;
Confoond ye, ye big Hielan’ deevil! Ye don’t realize there’s a war.
Ye think that ye’re back in Dunvegan, and herdin’ the wee bits o’ kye.”
“She’ll neffer trink wine in Dunfegan,” says Hecky MacCrimmon frae Skye.


Says Bauldy MacGreegor frae Gleska “Thank goodness! the ferm-hoose at last;
There’s no muckle left but the cellar, an’ even that’s vanishin’ fast.
Look oot, there’s the corpse o’ a wumman, sair mangelt and deid by her lane.
Quick! Strike a match.… Whit did I tell ye! A hale bonny box o’ shampane;
Jist knock the heid aff o’ a bottle.… Haud on, mon, I’m hearing a cry.…”
“She’ll think it’s a wean that wass greetin’,” says Hecky MacCrimmon frae Skye.


Says Bauldy MacGreegor frae Gleska: “Ma conscience! I’m hanged but yer richt.
It’s yin o’ thae waifs of the war-field, a’ sobbin’ and shakin’ wi’ fricht.
Wheesht noo, dear, we’re no gaun tae hurt ye. We’re takin’ ye hame, my wee doo!
We’ve got tae get back wi’ her, Hecky. Whit mercy we didna get fou!