J[?] McMelkin only writes we wer together Mr Elkin gave me a [?] of muton I asked Bob to go to Mr Elkins House as I was afraig of the dogs, Robt Burns went with me to the house we got the Mutton Bob took it & we come on the platform. Bob said to me to walk over the River with him, I said Bob it is Nearly dark and I want to get home to my children, I told him if he would promice to return quick I would go with him, he said he would carry my Muton as far my[?] road as he would go. So I started across the Bridge I suppose about 8 or 10 ft in front of Bob walking prety Brisk The firs thing I knew I heard him ake a blunder and as I turned round I Saw him leaving the Railroad Bridge he did not utter a word I herd him mak a noise after he struck the water. I called to him as often a three or four time said to him to swim to the Bank Bob, I went immediate to Mr D.R. Elkins I reported that Robt Burns had fell off the Bridge