how the deuce could we see it without a light" 66 True, true, my friend,” replied Munro with affected gravity; "I see you are at no loss for sound argument to support the propriety of what you do." 66 Why yes," cried the farmer, with a look of the most perfect self-complacency, "why yes," his broad features distended by a smile of mingled satisfaction and importance, and giving what he called a knowing look, "I think I know what I am about, but I shouldn't be vain-noa ! noa!" shaking his head, "I should not indeed; for it is my poor father, God rest his soul, I may thank for being what I am, for he gave me good learning as soon as I could take it. I was for two years and three months at a school, at the rate of a crown a-quarter, kept by--" "Oh well," said Munro, perhaps not consciously interrupting him, "the expence was not thrown away." "No, no, that's what father said. 'Boy,' he has often and often said, 'I don't grudge what I have laid out upon your learning, because I see as how you takes to it.'-Just as you and I, Captain, said last Autumn, about our two corn fields, that cost us so much to manure.We don't grudge,' says we, 'the expence these here fields have cost us in manuring, because they have yielded us such a plentiful crop this season." On each side of the yawning chasm in which Stubbs had kindled the fire, a kind of rude and partly-demolished bench projected a little way into the hall, on which he and his companion seated themselves opposite one another; the basket of provisions, containing a jar of strong ale, ham, cheese, and bread, was unpacked and -placed between them, and they soon fell to upon its contents. But though the farmer had recourse to every method in his power to keep up his spirits, and continued to talk boldly, it was evident to Munro that he gradually began to grow faint-hearted: this, however, he did not pretend to see, trusting, that by giving him credit for cou rage, he should inspirit him sufficiently to enable him to retain, at least, the semblance of it. That a scene more calculated than the present to affect a mind inclined to superstition, could not well be found, he could not help acknowledging to himself, and of course, in some degree, excusing the gradual evaporation of poor Stubbs's valour. The building was not only known to be remote from every inhabited one, but the wind made a hollow and moaning noise throughout it, that might well at times have been mistaken for the sighings and lamentations of distress: a shattered staircase descended to the hall, above which, all appeared involved in ruin, mystery, and darkness; while, on the green and slimy walls, the quivering and uncertain light threw shadows more fantastic than any but the most disordered imagination could possibly have given birth to. "It is a cheerless spot, indeed," said he, after a short interval of silence, during which his eye had been busily employed in looking about him; many years, I 66 doubt, have elapsed since any thing like social comfort has before been seen in it." "Yes, and many more, should it last so long, will pass away, ere any thing of the like will be seen again in it," replied the farmer; "for I am beginning to think, Captain, that ghost-watching is not the most agreeable employment in the world; and as to my neighbours, I needn't say what their opinion on the subject is." "The speedy detection of those who occasioned them so much uneasiness, will, I trust, render any further watching unnecessary," answered Munro. (. CHAP. II. "Heaven has to all allotted, soon or late, Whose motions, if we watch and guide with skill, DRYDEN. "Now that we are upon the subject of ghosts and hobgoblins, and such like trumpery, pray may I ask you, Captain, (for I know you are a good scholar, and have seen a good deal of the world, and can, therefore, give an opinion on these matters one may depend on), do you think," cried the farmer, making an effort, but a vain one, the bench being fastened to the ground, to pull his seat nearer to Munro, "that a man, having all the Chris |