5
a little of it along in a train to the fire-
side; then perceiving when his master
went into it, and as he was loosing down
his breeches, sets fire to the train, which
blew it all about his master's backside
which scorched him terribly, besides the
fright for which Tom was severely whipt.
Yet, in a little after, he began to study
revenge on his master.
So it happened one day as Tom was in
the master's house, his wife was stoop-
ing into a big meal-barrel, for to bring out
some meal; there he takes her by the feet
and coups her up into the barrel with her
head down and her bare b---side upper-
most; then runs into the school, crying
O master! master! the de'il's looking out
o' your meal-stand; wi' a fat face, and a
black ill-far'd mouth; yon's just Auld
Nick if he be living. So the master ran
out with all speed he could, for to see
what it was; and found it to be his own
wife, speechless, and almost smothered
to death; but as she could not tell who
did it, Tom got clear off; yet he was not
satisfied without some more vengeance on
the old fellow: and knowing his master
had a fashion, when he was going to whip
the boys if they would not loose their
breeches willingly, he drew his knife and
cut them through the waistband behind:
