And so what did they do but tak' all the savings of their lives, twa hundred pounds, and buy a bit schooner for him.

He was a sailor lad, it seems, from the toon nearby, and used to the sea.
"'Twas but a wee boat we bought him, but gude for his use in journeying up and doon the coast wi' cargo.

His first trip was fine; he made money, and we were all sae happy, syne it seemed we'd been richt in backing him, for a' the neighbors had called us fools.

But then misfortune laid sair hands upon us a'.

The wee schooner was wrecked on the rocks at Gairliestone.