a-prying

Updated: May 8, 2025

"Hist, Cap'n!" says Godby, suddenly alert, "The man Abner and his two mates a-peeping and a-prying!" "Where away, Godby man?" "Hove to in the lee o' them bushes yonder." "'Tis sly, skulking rogue Abner!" says Adam, closing and strapping the valise, "'Tis in my mind, Godby, this Abner will never live to see England. Summon 'em hither, all three."

Jeffery Farnol - Black Bartlemy's Treasure

"Sister on Adam's side, I warrant," said Lambourne; "or, if otherwise, the more knave thou. But sister or no sister, thou diest on point of fox, if thou comest a-prying to this tower once more. And now I think of it uds daggers and death! I will see thee out of the Castle, for this is a more main concern than thy jugglery."

Sir Walter Scott - Kenilworth