Burns as a Volunteer, p.46.

[Anecdotes of Burns Contents]

AT Mauchline, Burns served as a volunteer; and once when the corps were being exercised in firing, after a few bad discharges, the captain asked:- 

“Is this your erratic genius, Mr. Burns, that is spoiling your fire?” 

“No,” replied the poet, “it can’t be me, captain, for look ye, I have forgot my flint.” 

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