They 're none such fools as I took them for . We have still the Forth to pass , Davie -- weary fall the rains that fed and the hillsides that guided it ! '' `` And why go east ? '' said I. `` Ou , just upon the chance ! '' said he . `` If we cannae pass the river , we 'll have to see what we can do for the firth . '' `` There are fords upon the river , and none upon the firth , '' said I. `` To be sure there are fords , and a bridge forbye , '' quoth Alan ; `` and of what service , when they are watched ? '' `` Well , '' said I , `` but a river can be swum . '' `` By them that have the skill of it , '' returned he ; `` but I have yet to hear that either you or me is much of a hand at that exercise ; and for my own part , I swim like a stone . '' `` I 'm not up to you in talking back , Alan , '' I said ; `` but I can see we 're making bad worse . If it 's hard to pass a river , it stands to reason it must be worse to pass a sea . '' `` But there 's such a thing as a boat , '' says Alan , `` or I 'm the more deceived . '' `` Ay , and such a thing as money , '' says I. `` But for us that have neither one nor other , they might just as well not have been invented . '' `` Ye think so ? '' said Alan . `` I do that , '' said I. `` David , '' says he , `` ye 're a man of small invention and less faith . But let me set my wits upon the hone , and if I cannae beg , borrow , nor yet steal a boat , I 'll make one ! '' `` I think I see ye ! '' said I. `` And what 's more than all that : if ye pass a bridge , it can tell no tales ; but if we pass the firth , there 's the boat on the wrong side -- somebody must have brought it -- the country-side will all be in a bizz -- '' `` Man ! '' cried Alan , `` if I make a boat , I 'll make a body to take it back again !
So deave me with no more of your nonsense , but walk -LRB- for that 's what you 've got to do -RRB- -- and let XXXXX think for ye . ''
Alan Ay David Davie Ou bizz country-side firth forbye hillsides