Page:Tales of my landlord (Volume 1).djvu/87

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THE BLACK DWARF.
77

are no half sae often visible in our days. I canna depone to having ever seen ane mysel, but I ance heard ane whistle ahint me in the moss, as like a whaup as ae thing could be like anither. And mony ane my father saw when he used to come hame frae the fairs at e'en, wi' a drap drink in his head, honest man."

Earnscliff was somewhat entertained with the gradual declension of superstition from one generation to another, which was inferred in this last observation; and they continued to reason on such subjects, until they came in sight of the upright stone which gave name to the moor.

"As I shall answer," says Hobbie, "yonder's the creature creeping about yet!—But it's day-light, and you have your gun, and I brought out my bit whinger—I think we may venture upon him."

"By all manner of means," said Earnscliff; "but, in the name of wonder, what can he be doing there?"