If I know aught of Highland spates, they will both be down in the hour and fishable.
"From Edinburgh to India & Burmah"
William G. Burn Murdoch
Sudden spates sometimes sweep away men and cattle before they can get across.
"The Panjab, North-West Frontier Province, and Kashmir"
Sir James McCrone Douie
Grizzie kept grumbling to herself that the laddie was sure to come to "mischief;" but the main forms of "mischief" that ruled in her imagination were tramps, precipices, and spates.
"Warlock o' Glenwarlock"
George MacDonald