But prithee, Robin, wilt thou see if Nanty Ewart be, as is most likely, amongst these unhappy topers; and if so, let him step this way cannily, and speak to me and this young gentleman.

And it's dry talking, Robin--you must minister to us a bowl of punch--ye ken my gage.' 'From a mutchkin to a gallon, I ken your honour's taste, Mr.Thomas Trumbull,' said mine host; 'and ye shall hang me over the signpost if there be a drap mair lemon or a curn less sugar than just suits you.
There are three of you--you will be for the auld Scots peremptory pint-stoup for the success of the voyage ?' [The Scottish pint of liquid measure comprehends four English measures of the same denomination.

The jest is well known of my poor countryman, who, driven to extremity by the raillery of the Southern, on the small denomination of the Scottish coin, at length answered, 'Aye, aye! But the deil tak them that has the LEAST PINT-STOUP.'] 'Better pray for it than drink for it, Robin,' said Mr.Trumbull.

'Yours is a dangerous trade, Robin; it hurts mony a ane--baith host and guest.
But ye will get the blue bowl, Robin--the blue bowl--that will sloken all their drouth, and prevent the sinful repetition of whipping for an eke of a Saturday at e'en.

Aye, Robin, it is a pity of Nanty Ewart--Nanty likes the turning up of his little finger unco weel, and we maunna stint him, Robin, so as we leave him sense to steer by.' 'Nanty Ewart could steer through the Pentland Firth though he were as drunk as the Baltic Ocean,' said Robin Hastie; and instantly tripping downstairs, he speedily returned with the materials for what he called his BROWST, which consisted of two English quarts of spirits, in a huge blue bowl, with all the ingredients for punch in the same formidable proportion.