AllparticularsofthislegendHobbiecalledtomindashepassedalongthemoor。Healsoremembered，that，sincethecatastrophehadtakenplace，thesceneofithadbeenavoided，atleastafternight-fall，byallhumanbeings，asbeingtheordinaryresortofkelpies，spunkies，andotherdemons，oncethecompanionsofthewitch’sdiabolicalrevels，andnowcontinuingtorendezvousuponthesamespot，asifstillinattendanceontheirtransformedmistress。Hobbie’snaturalhardihood，however，manfullycombatedwiththeseintrusivesensationsofawe。Hesummonedtohissidethebraceoflargegreyhounds，whowerethecompanionsofhissports，andwhowerewont，inhisownphrase，tofearneitherdognordevil；helookedattheprimingofhispiece，and，liketheclowninHallowe’en，whistledupthewarlikedittyofJockoftheSide，asageneralcauseshisdrumsbebeattoinspiritthedoubtfulcourageofhissoldiers。
Inthisstateofmind，hewasverygladtohearafriendlyvoiceshoutinhisrear，andproposetohimapartnerontheroad。Heslackenedhispace，andwasquicklyjoinedbyayouthwellknowntohim，agentlemanofsomefortuneinthatremotecountry，andwhohadbeenabroadonthesameerrandwithhimself。YoungEarnscliff，\"ofthatilk，\"hadlatelycomeofage，andsucceededtoamoderatefortune，agooddealdilapidated，fromthesharehisfamilyhadtakeninthedisturbancesoftheperiod。Theyweremuchandgenerallyrespectedinthecountry；areputationwhichthisyounggentlemanseemedlikelytosustain，ashewaswelleducated，andofexcellentdispositions。
\"Now，Earnscliff；\"exclaimedHobbie，\"Iamgladtomeetyourhonouronygate，andcompany’sblitheonabaremoorlikethis——it’sanuncobogillybit——Wherehaeyebeensporting？\"
\"UptheCarlaCleugh，Hobbie，\"answeredEarnscliff，returninghisgreeting。\"Butwillourdogskeepthepeace，thinkyou？\"
\"Deilafearo’mine，\"saidHobbie，\"theyhaescarcealegtostandon。——Odd！thedeer’sfledthecountry，Ithink！IhavebeenasfarasInger-fell-foot，anddeilahornhasHobbieseen，exceptingthreered-wudraes，thatneverletmewithinshotofthem，thoughIgaedamileroundtogetupthewindtothem，an’
a’。Deilo’mewadcaremuckle，onlyIwantedsomevenisontoourauldgude-dame。Thecarline，shesitsintheneukyonder，upbye，andcracksaboutthegrandshootersandhunterslangsyne——Odd，Ithinktheyhaekilleda’thedeerinthecountry，formypart。\"
\"Well，Hobbie，Ihaveshotafatbuck，andsenthimtoEarnscliffthismorning——youshallhavehalfofhimforyourgrandmother。\"
\"Monythankstoye，Mr。Patrick，ye’rekendtoa’thecountryforakindheart。Itwilldotheauldwife’sheartgude——mairbytoken，whenshekensitcomesfraeyou——andmaistofa’ginye’llcomeupandtakeyourshare，forIreckonyearelonesomenowintheauldtower，anda’yourfolkatthatwearyEdinburgh。I
wonderwhattheycanfindtodoamangawheenrankso’stane-
houseswi’slateonthetapo’them，thatmightliveontheirainbonnygreenhills。\"
\"Myeducationandmysisters’haskeptmymothermuchinEdinburghforseveralyears，\"saidEarnscliff；\"butIpromiseyouIproposetomakeupforlosttime。\"
\"Andye’llrigouttheauldtowerabit，\"saidHobbie，\"andliveheartyandneighbour-likewi’theauldfamilyfriends，astheLairdo’Earnscliffshould？Icantellye，mymother——mygrandmotherImean——but，sincewelostourainmother，weca’hersometimesthetane，andsometimesthetother——but，onygate，sheconceitshersellnothatdistantconnectedwi’you。\"
\"Verytrue，Hobbie，andIwillcometotheHeugh-foottodinnerto-morrowwithallmyheart。\"
\"Weel，that’skindlysaid！Weareauldneighbours，anwewerenaekin——andmygude-dame’sfaintoseeyou——sheclaversaboutyourfatherthatwaskilledlangsyne。\"
\"Hush，hush，Hobbie——notawordaboutthat——it’sastorybetterforgotten。\"
\"Idinnaken——ifithadchancedamangourfolk，wewadhaekeepititinmindmonyadaytillwegotsomemendsfor’t——butyekenyourainwaysbest，youlairds——IhaveheardsaythatEllieslaw’sfriendstickityoursireafterthelairdhimsellhadmasteredhissword。\"
\"Fie，fie，Hobbie；itwasafoolishbrawl，occasionedbywineandpolitics——manyswordsweredrawn——itisimpossibletosaywhostrucktheblow。\"
\"Atonyrate，auldEllieslawwasaidingandabetting；andIamsureifyeweresaedisposedastotakeamendsonhim，naebodycouldsayitwaswrang，foryourfather’sbloodisbeneathhisnails——andbesidesthere’snaebodyelseleftthatwasconcernedtotakeamendsupon，andhe’saprelatistandajacobiteintothebargain——Icantellyethecountryfolklookforsomethingatweenye。\"
\"Oforshame，Hobbie！\"repliedtheyoungLaird；\"you，thatprofessreligion，tostiryourfrienduptobreakthelaw，andtakevengeanceathisownhand，andinsuchabogillybittoo，whereweknownotwhatbeingsmaybelisteningtous！\"
\"Hush，hush！\"saidHobbie，drawingnearertohiscompanion，\"I
wasnaethinkingo’thelikeo’them——ButIcanguessaweebitwhatkeepsyourhandup，Mr。Patrick；wea’kenit’snolacko’
courage，butthetwagreyeenofabonnylass，MissIsabelVere，thatkeepsyousaesober。\"
\"Iassureyou，Hobbie，\"saidhiscompanion，ratherangrily，\"I
assureyouyouaremistaken；anditisextremelywrongofyou，eithertothinkof，ortoutter，suchanidea；Ihavenoideaofpermittingfreedomstobecarriedsofarastoconnectmynamewiththatofanyyounglady。\"
\"Why，therenow——therenow！\"retortedElliot；\"didInotsayitwasnaewanto’spunkthatmadeyesaemim？——Weel，weel，Imeantnaeoffence；butthere’sjustaethingyemaynoticefraeafriend。TheauldLairdofEllieslawhastheauldridingbloodfarhetterathisheartthanyehae——troth，hekensnaethingaboutthaenewfanglednotionso’peaceandquietness——he’sa’fortheauld-warlddoingso’liftingandlayingon，andhehasawheenstoutladsathisbacktoo，andkeepsthemweelupinheart，andasfu’o’mischiefasyoungcolts。Wherehegetsthegeartodo’tnanecansay；heliveshigh，andfarabunehisrentshere；however，hepayshisway——Sae，ifthere’sonyout-breakinthecountry，he’slikelytobreakoutwi’thefirst——andweeldoeshemindtheauldquarrelsbetweenye，I’msurmizinghe’llbeforatouchattheauldtoweratEarnscliff。\"
\"Well，Hobbie，\"answeredtheyounggentleman，\"ifheshouldbesoilladvised，Ishalltrytomaketheoldtowergoodagainsthim，asithasbeenmadegoodbymybettersagainsthisbettersmanyadayago。\"
\"Veryright——veryright——that’sspeakinglikeamannow，\"saidthestoutyeoman；\"and，ifsaeshouldbethatthisbesae，ifye’lljustgaryourservantjowoutthegreatbellinthetower，there’sme，andmytwabrothers，andlittleDavieoftheStenhouse，willbewi’you，wi’a’thepowerwecanmake，inthesnappingofaflint。\"
\"Manythanks，Hobbie，\"answeredEarnscliff；\"butIhopeweshallhavenowarofsounnaturalandunchristianakindinourtime。\"
\"Hout，sir，hout，\"repliedElliot；\"itwadbebutaweebitneighbourwar，andHeavenandearthwouldmakeallowancesforitinthisuncuItivatedplace——it’sjustthenatureo’thefolkandtheland——wecannalivequietlikeLoudonfolk——wehaenasaemuckletodo。It’simpossible。\"
\"Well，Hobbie，\"saidtheLaird，\"foronewhobelievessodeeplyasyoudoinsupernaturalappearances，ImustownyoutakeHeaveninyourownhandratheraudaciously，consideringwherewearewalking。\"
\"WhatneedsIcarefortheMucklestane-Mooronymairthanyedoyoursell，Earnscliff？\"saidHobbie，somethingoffended；\"tobesure，theydosaythere’sasorto’worricowsandlang-nebbitthingsabouttheland，butwhatneedIcareforthem？Ihaeagoodconscience，andlittletoanswerfor，unlessitbeaboutarantamangthelasses，orasploreatafair，andthat’snomuckletospeakof。ThoughIsayitmysell，Iamasquietaladandaspeaceable——\"
\"AndDickTurnbull’sheadthatyoubroke，andWillieofWintonwhomyoushotat？\"saidhistravellingcompanion。
\"Hout，Earnscliff，yekeeparecordofa’men’smisdoings——Dick’shead’shealedagain，andwe’retofightoutthequarrelatJeddart，ontheRood-day，sothat’slikeathingsettledinapeaceableway；andthenIamfriendswi’Willieagain，puirchield——itwasbuttwaorthreehaildrapsaftera’。Iwadletonybodydothelikeo’ttomeforapinto’brandy。ButWillie’slowlandbred，poorfallow，andsoonfrightedforhimsell——And，fortheworricows，werewetomeetaneonthisverybit——\"
\"Asisnotunlikely，\"saidyoungEarnscliff，\"fortherestandsyouroldwitch，Hobbie。\"
\"Isay，\"continuedElliot，asifindignantatthishint——\"Isay，iftheauldcarlinehersellwastogetupouto’thegrundjustbeforeushere，Iwouldthinknaemair——But，gudepreserveus，Earnscliff；whatcanyon，be！\"
CHAPTERIII。
BrownDwarf，thato’erthemoorlandstrays，ThynametoKeeldartell！
\"TheBrownManoftheMoor，thatstaysBeneaththeheather-bell。\"JOHNLEYDEN
Theobjectwhichalarmedtheyoungfarmerinthemiddleofhisvalorousprotestations，startledforamomentevenhislessprejudicedcompanion。Themoon，whichhadarisenduringtheirconversation，was，inthephraseofthatcountry，wadingorstrugglingwithclouds，andshedonlyadoubtfulandoccasionallight。Byoneofherbeams，whichstreameduponthegreatgranitecolumntowhichtheynowapproached，theydiscoveredaform，apparentlyhuman，butofasizemuchlessthanordinary，whichmovedslowlyamongthelargegreystones，notlikeapersonintendingtojourneyonward，butwiththeslow，irregular，flittingmovementofabeingwhohoversaroundsomespotofmelancholyrecollection，utteringalso，fromtimetotime，asortofindistinctmutteringsound。Thissomuchresembledhisideaofthemotionsofanapparition，thatHobbieElliot，makingadeadpause，whilehishairerecteditselfuponhisscalp，whisperedtohiscompanion，\"It’sAuldAiliehersell！ShallI
gieherashot，inthenameofGod？\"
\"ForHeaven’ssake，no，\"saidhiscompanion，holdingdowntheweaponwhichhewasabouttoraisetotheaim——\"forHeaven’ssake，no；it’ssomepoordistractedcreature。\"
\"Ye’redistractedyoursell，forthinkingofgoingsoneartoher，\"saidElliot，holdinghiscompanioninhisturn，ashepreparedtoadvance。\"We’llayehaetimetopitowerabitprayer（anIcouldbutmindane）aforeshecomesthislength——God！she’sinnaehurry，\"continuedhe，growingbolderfromhiscompanion’sconfidence，andthelittlenoticetheapparitionseemedtotakeofthem。\"Shehirpleslikeahenonahetgirdle。
Ireddye，Earnscliff\"（thisheaddedinagentlewhisper），\"letustakeacastabout，asiftodrawthewindonabuck——thebogisnoabuneknee-deep，andbetterasaftroadasbadcompany。\"
[TheScotsusetheepithetsoft，INMALAMPARTEM，intwocases，atleast。ASOFTroadisaroadthroughquagmireandbogs；andSOFTweathersignifiesthatwhichisveryrainy。]
Earnscliff，however，inspiteofhiscompanion’sresistanceandremonstrances，continuedtoadvanceonthepaththeyhadoriginallypursued，andsoonconfrontedtheobjectoftheirinvestigation。
Theheightofthefigure，whichappearedeventodecreaseastheyapproachedit，seemedtobeunderfourfeet，anditsform，asfarastheimperfectlightaffordedthemthemeansofdiscerning，wasverynearlyasbroadaslong，orratherofasphericalshape，whichcouldonlybeoccasionedbysomestrangepersonaldeformity。Theyoungsportsmanhailedthisextraordinaryappearancetwice，withoutreceivinganyanswer，orattendingtothepinchesbywhichhiscompanionendeavouredtointimatethattheirbestcoursewastowalkon，withoutgivingfartherdisturbancetoabeingofsuchsingularandpreternaturalexterior。Tothethirdrepeateddemandof\"Whoareyou？Whatdoyouhereatthishourofnight？\"——avoicereplied，whoseshrill，uncouth，anddissonanttonesmadeElliotsteptwopacesback，andstartledevenhiscompanion，\"Passonyourway，andasknoughtatthemthatasknoughtatyou。\"
\"Whatdoyoudoheresofarfromshelter？Areyoubenightedonyourjourney？Willyoufollowushome（’Godforbid！’ejaculatedHobbieElliot，involuntarily），andIwillgiveyoualodging？\"
\"IwouldsoonerlodgebymysellinthedeepestoftheTarras-
flow，\"againwhisperedHobbie。
\"Passonyourway，\"rejoinedthefigure，theharshtonesofhisvoicestillmoreexaltedbypassion。\"Iwantnotyourguidance——Iwantnotyourlodging——itisfiveyearssincemyheadwasunderahumanroof，andItrustitwasforthelasttime。\"
\"Heismad，\"saidEarnscliff。
\"HehasalookofauldHumphreyEttercap，thetinkler，thatperishedinthisverymossaboutfiveyearssyne，\"answeredhissuperstitiouscompanion；\"butHumphreywasnathatawfu’biginthebouk。\"
\"Passonyourway，\"reiteratedtheobjectoftheircuriosity，\"thebreathofyourhumanbodiespoisonstheairaroundme——thesoundofpourhumanvoicesgoesthroughmyearslikesharpbodkins\"
\"Lordsafeus！\"whisperedHobbie，\"thatthedeadshouldbearsiefearfu’ill-willtotheliving！——hissaulmaunbeinapuirway，I’mjealous。\"
\"Come，myfriend，\"saidEarnscliff，\"youseemtosufferundersomestrongaffliction；commonhumanitywillnotallowustoleaveyouhere。\"
\"Commonhumanity！\"exclaimedthebeing，withascornfullaughthatsoundedlikeashriek，\"wheregotyethatcatch-word——thatnooseforwoodcocks——thatcommondisguiseforman-traps——thatbaitwhichthewretchedidiotwhoswallows，willsoonfindcoversahookwithbarbstentimessharperthanthoseyoulayfortheanimalswhichyoumurderforyourluxury！\"
\"Itellyou，myfriend，\"againrepliedEarnscliff，\"youareincapableofjudgingofyourownsituation——youwillperishinthiswilderness，andwemust，incompassion，forceyoualongwithus。\"
\"I’llhaeneitherhandnorfootin’t，\"saidHobbie；\"lettheghaisttakehisainway，forGod’ssake！\"
\"Mybloodbeonmyownhead，ifIperishhere，\"saidthefigure；
and，observingEarnscliffmeditatingtolayholdonhim，headded，\"Andyourbloodbeuponyours，ifyoutouchbuttheskirtofmygarments，toinfectmewiththetaintofmortality！\"
Themoonshonemorebrightlyashespokethus，andEarnscliffobservedthatheheldouthisrighthandarmedwithsomeweaponofoffence，whichglitteredinthecoldraylikethebladeofalongknife，orthebarrelofapistol。Itwouldhavebeenmadnesstopersevereinhisattemptuponabeingthusarmed，andholdingsuchdesperatelanguage，especiallyasitwasplainhewouldhavelittleaidfromhiscompanion，whohadfairlylefthimtosettlematterswiththeapparitionashecould，andhadproceededafewpacesonhiswayhomeward。Earnscliff，however，turnedandfollowedHobbie，afterlookingbacktowardsthesupposedmaniac，who，asifraisedtofrenzybytheinterview，roamedwildlyaroundthegreatstone，exhaustinghisvoiceinshrieksandimprecations，thatthrilledwildlyalongthewasteheath。
Thetwosportsmenmovedonsometimeinsilence，untiltheywereoutofhearingoftheseuncouthsounds，whichwasnoteretheyhadgainedaconsiderabledistancefromthepillarthatgavenametothemoor。Eachmadehisprivatecommentsonthescenetheyhadwitnessed，untilHobbieElliotsuddenlyexclaimed，\"Weel，I’lluphaudthatyonghaist，ifitbeaghaist，hasbaithdoneandsufferedmuckleevilintheflesh，thatgarshimrampaugeinthatwayafterheisdeadandgane。\"
\"Itseemstometheverymadnessofmisanthropy，\"saidEarnscliff；followinghisowncurrentofthought。
\"Andyedidnathinkitwasaspiritualcreature，then？\"askedHobbieathiscompanion。
\"Who，I？——No，surely。\"
\"Weel，Iampartlyofthemindmysellthatitmaybealivething——andyetIdinnaken，Iwadnawishtoseeonythinglooklikerabogle。\"
\"Atanyrate，\"saidEarnscliff，\"Iwillrideoverto-morrowandseewhathasbecomeoftheunhappybeing。\"
\"Infairdaylight？\"queriedtheyeoman；\"then，graceo’God，I’sebewi’ye。ButherewearenearertoHeugh-footthantoyourhousebytwamile，——hadnayebettere’engaehamewi’me，andwe’llsendthecallantonthepownytotellthemthatyouarewi’us，thoughIbelievethere’snaebodyathametowaitforyoubuttheservantsandthecat。\"
\"Havewithyouthen，friendHobbie，\"saidtheyounghunter；\"andasIwouldnotwillinglyhaveeithertheservantsbeanxious，orpussforfeithersupper，inmyabsence，I’llbeobligedtoyoutosendtheboyasyoupropose。\"
\"Aweel，thatISkind，Imustsay。Andye’llgaehametoHeugh-
foot？They’llberightblithetoseeyou，thatwillthey。\"
Thisaffairsettled，theywalkedbrisklyonalittlefarther，when，comingtotheridgeofaprettysteephill，HobbieElliotexclaimed，\"Now，Earnscliff，IamayegladwhenIcometothisverybit——Yeseethelightbelow，that’sintheha’window，wheregrannie，thegashauldcarline，issittingbirlingatherwheel——andyeseeyonotherlightthat’sgaunwhiddin’backandforritthroughamangthewindows？that’smycousin，GraceArmstrong，——she’stwiceascleveraboutthehouseasmysisters，andsaetheysaythemsells，forthey’regood-naturedlassesasevertrodeonheather；buttheyconfessthemsells，andsaedoesgrannie，thatshehasfarmaistaction，andisthebestgoeraboutthetoun，nowthatgrannieisoffthefoothersell。——Mybrothers，aneo’them’sawaytowaituponthechamberlain，andane’satMoss-
phadraig，that’sourledfarm——hecanseeafterthestockjustasweelasIcando。\"
\"Youarelucky，mygoodfriend，inhavingsomanyvaluablerelations。\"
\"TrothamI——Gracemakemethankful，I’seneverdenyit。——Butwillyetellmenow，Earnscliff，youthathavebeenatcollege，andthehigh-schoolofEdinburgh，andgota’sorto’lairwhereitwastobebestgotten——willyetellme——nothatit’sonyconcernofmineinparticular，——butIheardthepriestofSt。
John’s，andourminister，bargainingaboutitattheWinterfair，andtroththeybaithspakveryweel——Now，thepriestsaysit’sunlawfultomarryane’scousin；butIcannotsayIthoughthebroughtouttheGospelauthoritieshalfsaeweelasourminister——
ourministeristhoughtthebestdivineandthebestpreacheratweenthisandEdinburgh——Dinnayethinkhewaslikelytoberight？\"
\"Certainlymarriage，byallprotestantChristians，isheldtobeasfreeasGodmadeitbytheLeviticallaw；so，Hobbie，therecanbenobar，legalorreligious，betwixtyouandMissArmstrong。\"
\"Houtawa’wi’yourjoking，Earnscliff，\"repliedhiscompanion，——\"yeareangryaneughyoursellifanetouchesyouabit，man，onthesoothsideofthejest——NothatIwasaskingthequestionaboutGrace，foryemaunkenshe’snomycousin-germainoutandout，butthedaughterofmyuncle；swifebyherfirstmarriage，soshe’snaekithnorkintome——onlyaconnexionlike。Butnowwe’reattheSheeling-hill——I’llfireoffmygun，toletthemkenI’mcoming，that’sayemyway；andifIhaeadeerIgiethemtwashots，aneforthedeerandaneformysell。\"
Hefiredoffhispieceaccordingly，andthenumberoflightswereseentotraversethehouse，andeventogleambeforeit。HobbieElliotpointedoutoneofthesetoEarnscliff，whichseemedtoglidefromthehousetowardssomeoftheouthouses-\"That’sGracehersell，\"saidHobbie。\"She’llnomeetmeatthedoor，I’sewarranther——butshe’llbeawa’，fora’that，toseeifmyhounds’supperbeready，poorbeasts。\"
\"Loveme，lovemydog，\"answeredEarnscliff。\"Ah，Hobbie，youarealuckyyoungfellow！\"
Thisobservationwasutteredwithsomethinglikeasigh，whichapparentlydidnotescapetheearofhiscompanion。
\"Hout，otherfolkmaybeasluckyasIam——OhowIhaveseenMissIsabelVere’sheadturnaftersomebodywhentheypassedaneanotherattheCarlisleraces！Whakensbutthingsmaycomeroundinthisworld？\"
Earnscliffmutteredsomethinglikeananswer；butwhetherinassentoftheproposition，orrebukingtheapplicationofit，couldnoteasilybediscovered；anditseemsprobablethatthespeakerhimselfwaswillinghismeaningshouldrestindoubtandobscurity。Theyhadnowdescendedthebroadloaning，which，windingroundthefootofthesteepbank，orheugh，broughttheminfrontofthethatched，butcomfortable，farm-house，whichwasthedwellingofHobbieElliotandhisfamily。
Thedoorwaywasthrongedwithjoyfulfaces；buttheappearanceofastrangerbluntedmanyagibewhichhadbeenpreparedonHobbie’slackofsuccessinthedeer-stalking。Therewasalittlebustleamongthreehandsomeyoungwomen，eachendeavouringtodevolveuponanotherthetaskofusheringthestrangerintotheapartment，whileprobablyallwereanxioustoescapeforthepurposeofmakingsomelittlepersonalarrangements，beforepresentingthemselvestoayounggentlemaninadishabilleonlyintendedfortheirbrother。
Hobbie，inthemeanwhile，bestowingsomeheartyandgeneralabuseuponthemall（forGracewasnotoftheparty），snatchedthecandlefromthehandofoneoftherusticcoquettes，asshestoodplayingprettywithitinherhand，andusheredhisguestintothefamilyparlour，orratherhall；fortheplacehavingbeenahouseofdefenceinformertimes，thesittingapartmentwasavaultedandpavedroom，dampanddismalenoughcomparedwiththelodgingsoftheyeomanryofourdays，butwhich，whenwelllightedupwithalargesparklingfireofturfandbog-wood，seemedtoEarnscliffamostcomfortableexchangeforthedarknessandbleakblastofthehill。Kindlyandrepeatedlywashewelcomedbythevenerableolddame，themistressofthefamily，who，dressedinhercoifandpinners，hercloseanddecentgownofhomespunwool，butwithalargegoldnecklaceandear-rings，looked，whatshereallywas，theladyaswellasthefarmer’swife，while，seatedinherchairofwicker，bythecornerofthegreatchimney，shedirectedtheeveningoccupationsoftheyoungwomen，andoftwoorthreestoutservingwenches，whosateplyingtheirdistaffsbehindthebacksoftheiryoungmistresses。
AssoonasEarnscliffhadbeendulywelcomed，andhastyordersissuedforsomeadditiontotheeveningmeal，hisgrand-dameandsistersopenedtheirbatteryuponHobbieElliotforhislackofsuccessagainstthedeer。
\"Jennyneednahavekeptupherkitchen-firefora’thatHobbiehasbroughthame，\"saidonesister。
\"Trothno，lass，\"saidanother；\"thegatheringpeat，ifitwasweelblawn，waddressa’ourHobbie’svenison。\"[Thegatheringpeatisthepieceofturflefttotreasureupthesecretseedsoffire，withoutanygenerousconsumptionoffuel；inaword，tokeepthefirealive。]
\"Ay，orthelowofthecandle，ifthewindwadletithidesteady，\"saidathird；\"ifIwerehim，Iwouldbringhameablackcraw，ratherthancomebackthreetimeswithoutabuck’shorntoblawon。\"
Hobbieturnedfromtheonetotheother，regardingthemalternatelywithafrownonhisbrow，theauguryofwhichwasconfutedbythegood-humouredlaughonthelowerpartofhiscountenance。Hethenstrovetopropitiatethem，bymentioningtheintendedpresentofhiscompanion。
\"Inmyyoungdays，\"saidtheoldlady，\"amanwadhaebeenashamedtocomebackfraethehillwithoutabuckhangingoneachsideo’hishorse，likeacadgercarryingcalves。\"
\"Iwishtheyhadleftsomeforusthen，grannie，\"retortedHobbie；\"they’veclearedthecountryo’them，thaeauldfriendso’yours，I’mthinking。\"
\"Weseeotherfolkcanfindgame，thoughyoucannot，Hobbie，\"
saidtheeldestsister，glancingalookatyoungEarnscliff。
\"Weel，weel，woman，hasnaeverydoghisday，beggingEarnscliff’spardonfortheauldsaying——MaynaIhaehisluck，andhemine，anothertime？——It’sabrawthingforamantobeouta’day，andfrighted——na，Iwinnasaythatneitherbutmistrystedwi’boglesinthehame-coming，an’thentohaetoflytewi’awheenwomenthathaebeendoingnaethinga’thelive-langday，butwhirlingabitstick，wi’athreadtrailingatit，orboringataclout。\"
\"Frightedwi’bogles！\"exclaimedthefemales，oneandall，——forgreatwastheregardthenpaid，andperhapsstillpaid，intheseglens，toallsuchfantasies。
\"Ididnotsayfrighted，now——Ionlysaidmis-setwi’thething——Andtherewasbutaebogle，neither——Earnscliff，yesawit；asweelasIdid？\"
Andheproceeded，withoutverymuchexaggeration，todetail，inhisownway，themeetingtheyhadwiththemysteriousbeingatMucklestane-Moor，concluding，hecouldnotconjecturewhatonearthitcouldbe，unlessitwaseithertheEnemyhimsell，orsomeoftheauldPeghtsthatheldthecountrylangsyne。
\"AuldPeght！\"exclaimedthegrand-dame；\"na，na——blesstheefraescathe，mybairn，it’sbeennaePeghtthat——it’sbeentheBrownManoftheMoors！Owearyfa’thaeevildays！——whatcanevilbeingsbecomingfortodistractapoorcountry，nowit’speacefullysettled，andlivinginloveandlaw——Owearyonhim！
hene’erbroughtgudetotheselandsortheindwellers。Myfatheraftentauldmehewasseenintheyearo’thebloodyfightatMarston-Moor，andthenagaininMontrose’stroubles，andagainbeforetherouto’Dunbar，and，inmyaintime，hewasseenaboutthetimeo’Bothwell-Brigg，andtheysaidthesecond-sightedLairdofBenarbuckhadacommuningwi’himsometimeaforeArgyle’slanding，butthatIcannotspeaktosaepreceesely——itwasfarinthewest。——O，bairns，he’sneverpermittedbutinanilltime，saemindilkaaneo’yetodrawtoHimthatcanhelpinthedayoftrouble。\"
Earnscliffnowinterposed，andexpressedhisfirmconvictionthatthepersontheyhadseenwassomepoormaniac，andhadnocommissionfromtheinvisibleworldtoannounceeitherwarorevil。Buthisopinionfoundaverycoldaudience，andalljoinedtodeprecatehispurposeofreturningtothespotthenextday。
\"O，mybonnybairn，\"saidtheolddame（for，inthekindnessofherheart，sheextendedherparentalstyletoallinwhomshewasinterested）——-\"Youshouldbewaremairthanotherfolk——there’sbeenaheavybreachmadeinyourhousewi’yourfather’sbloodshed，andwi’law-pleas，andlossessinsyne；——andyouarethefloweroftheflock，andtheladthatwillbuilduptheauldbiggingagain（ifitbeHiswill）tobeanhonourtothecountry，andasafeguardtothosethatdwellinit——you，beforeothers，arecalledupontoputyoursellinnorashadventures——foryourswasayeowerventuresomearace，andmuckleharmtheyhavegotbyit。\"
\"ButIamsure，mygoodfriend，youwouldnothavemebeafraidofgoingtoanopenmoorinbroaddaylight？\"
\"Idinnaken，\"saidthegoodolddame；\"Iwadneverbidsonorfriendo’minehaudtheirhandbackinagudecause，whetheritwereafriend’sortheirain——thatshouldbebynaebiddingofmine，orofonybodythat’scomeofagentlekindred——Butitwinnagangoutofagreyheadlikemine，thattogangtoseekforevilthat’snofashingwi’you，iscleanagainstlawandScripture。\"
Earnscliffresignedanargumentwhichhesawnoprospectofmaintainingwithgoodeffect，andtheentranceofsupperbrokeofftheconversation。MissGracehadbythistimemadeherappearance，andHobbie，notwithoutaconsciousglanceatEarnscliff，placedhimselfbyherside。Mirthandlivelyconversation，inwhichtheoldladyofthehousetookthegood-
humouredsharewhichsowellbecomesoldage，restoredtothecheeksofthedamselstheroseswhichtheirbrother’staleoftheapparitionhadchasedaway，andtheydancedandsungforanhouraftersupperasiftherewerenosuchthingsasgoblinsintheworld。
CHAPTERIV。
IamMisanthropos，andhatemankind；
Forthypart，Idowishthouwertadog，ThatImightlovetheesomething。TIMONOFATHENS
Onthefollowingmorning，afterbreakfast，Earnsclifftookleaveofhishospitablefriends，promisingtoreturnintimetopartakeofthevenison，whichhadarrivedfromhishouse。Hobbie，whoapparentlytookleaveofhimatthedoorofhishabitation，slunkout，however，andjoinedhimatthetopofthehill。
\"Ye’llbegaunyonder，Mr。Patrick；feindo’mewillmistrystyoufora’mymothersays。Ithoughtitbesttoslipoutquietlythough，incasesheshouldmislippensomethingofwhatwe’regauntodo——wemaunnavexheratnaerate——itwasamaistthelastwordmyfathersaidtomeonhisdeathbed。\"
\"Bynomeans，Hobbie，\"saidEarnscliff；\"shewellmeritsallyourattention。\"
\"Troth，forthatmatter，shewouldbeassairvexedamaistforyouasforme。Butd’yereallythinkthere’snaepresumptioninventuringbackyonder？——Wehaenaespecialcommission，yeken。\"
\"IfIthoughtasyoudo，Hobbie，\"saidtheyounggentleman，\"I
wouldnotperhapsenquirefartherintothisbusiness；butasIamofopinionthatpreternaturalvisitationsareeitherceasedaltogether，orbecomeveryrareinourdays，Iamunwillingtoleaveamatteruninvestigatedwhichmayconcernthelifeofapoordistractedbeing。\"
\"Aweel，aweel，ifyereallythinkthat，\"answeredHobbiedoubtfully——\"Andit’sforcertaintheveryfairies——Imeantheverygoodneighboursthemsells（fortheysayfolksuldnaca’themfairies）thatusedtobeseenoneverygreenknoweate’en，arenohalfsaeoftenvisibleinourdays。Icannadeponetohavingeverseenanemysell，but，Ianceheardanewhistleahintmeinthemoss，aslikeawhaup[Curlew]asaethingcouldbelikeanither。Andmonyanemyfathersawwhenheusedtocomehamefraethefairsate’en，wi’adrapdrinkinhishead，honestman。\"
EarnscliffwassomewhatentertainedwiththegradualdeclensionofsuperstitionfromonegenerationtoanotherwhichwasinferredInthislastobservation；andtheycontinuedtoreasononsuchsubjects，untiltheycameinsightoftheuprightstonewhichgavenametothemoor。
\"AsIshallanswer，\"saysHobbie，\"yonder’sthecreaturecreepingaboutyet！——Butit’sdaylight，andyouhaveyourgun，andI
broughtoutmybitwhinger——Ithinkwemayventureonhim。\"
\"Byallmannerofmeans，\"saidEarnscliff；\"but，inthenameofwonder，whatcanhebedoingthere？\"
\"Bigginadry-stanedyke，Ithink，wi’thegreygeese，astheyca’thaegreatloosestanes——Odd，thatpassesa’thingIe’erheardtellof！\"
Astheyapproachednearer，Earnscliffcouldnothelpagreeingwithhiscompanion。Thefiguretheyhadseenthenightbeforeseemedslowlyandtoilsomelylabouringtopilethelargestonesoneuponanother，asiftoformasmallenclosure。Materialslayaroundhimingreatplenty，butthelabourofcarryingontheworkwasimmense，fromthesizeofmostofthestones；anditseemedastonishingthatheshouldhavesucceededinmovingseveralwhichhehadalreadyarrangedforthefoundationofhisedifice。Hewasstrugglingtomoveafragmentofgreatsizewhenthetwoyoungmencameup，andwassointentuponexecutinghispurpose，thathedidnotperceivethemtilltheywerecloseuponhim。Instrainingandheavingatthestone，inordertoplaceitaccordingtohiswish，hedisplayedadegreeofstrengthwhichseemedutterlyinconsistentwithhissizeandapparentdeformity。
Indeed，tojudgefromthedifficultieshehadalreadysurmounted，hemusthavebeenofHerculeanpowers；forsomeofthestoneshehadsucceededinraisingapparentlyrequiredtwomen’sstrengthtohavemovedthem。Hobbie’ssuspicionsbegantorevive，onseeingthepreternaturalstrengthheexerted。
\"Iamamaistpersuadedit’stheghaistofastane-mason——seesiccanband-statnesashe’slaidi——Anitbeaman，aftera’，I
wonderwhathewadtakebytheroodtobuildamarchdyke。
There’sanesairwantedbetweenCringlehopeandtheShaws。——
Honestman\"（raisinghisvoice），\"yemakegoodfirmwarkthere？\"
Thebeingwhomheaddressedraisedhiseyeswithaghastlystare，and，gettingupfromhisstoopingposture，stoodbeforetheminallhisnativeandhideousdeformity。Hisheadwasofuncommonsize，coveredwithafellofshaggyhair，partlygrizzledwithage；hiseyebrows，shaggyandprominent，overhungapairofsmalldark，piercingeyes，setfarbackintheirsockets，thatrolledwithaportentouswildness，indicativeofapartialinsanity。
Therestofhisfeatureswereofthecoarse，rough-hewnstamp，withwhichapainterwouldequipagiantinromance；towhichwasaddedthewild，irregular，andpeculiarexpression，sooftenseeninthecountenancesofthosewhosepersonsaredeformed。Hisbody，thickandsquare，likethatofamanofmiddlesize，wasmountedupontwolargefeet；butnatureseemedtohaveforgottenthelegsandthethighs，ortheyweresoveryshortastobehiddenbythedresswhichhewore。Hisarmswerelongandbrawny，furnishedwithtwomuscularhands，and，whereuncoveredintheeagernessofhislabour，wereshaggedwithcoarseblackhair。Itseemedasifnaturehadoriginallyintendedtheseparatepartsofhisbodytobethemembersofagiant，buthadafterwardscapriciouslyassignedthemtothepersonofadwarf，soilldidthelengthofhisarmsandtheironstrengthofhisframecorrespondwiththeshortnessofhisstature。Hisclothingwasasortofcoarsebrowntunic，likeamonk’sfrock，girtroundhimwithabeltofseal-skin。Onhisheadhehadacapmadeofbadger’sskin，orsomeotherroughfur，whichaddedconsiderablytothegrotesqueeffectofhiswholeappearance，andovershadowedfeatures，whosehabitualexpressionseemedthatofsullenmalignantmisanthropy。
ThisremarkableDwarfgazedonthetwoyouthsinsilence，withadoggedandirritatedlook，untilEarnscliff，willingtosoothehimintobettertemper，observed，\"Youarehardtasked，myfriend；allowustoassistyou。\"
Elliotandheaccordinglyplacedthestone，bytheirjointefforts，upontherisingwall。TheDwarfwatchedthemwiththeeyeofataskmaster，andtestified，bypeevishgestures，hisimpatienceatthetimewhichtheytookinadjustingthestone。
Hepointedtoanother——theyraiseditalso——toathird，toafourth——theycontinuedtohumourhim，thoughwithsometrouble，forheassignedthem，asifintentionally，theheaviestfragmentswhichlaynear。
\"Andnow，friend，\"saidElliot，astheunreasonableDwarfindicatedanotherstonelargerthananytheyhadmoved，\"Earnscliffmaydoashelikes；butbeyemanorbeyewaur，deilbeinmyfingersifIbreakmybackwi’heavingthaestanesonylangerlikeabarrow-man，withoutgettingsaemuckleasthanksformypains。\"
\"Thanks！\"exclaimedtheDwarf，withamotionexpressiveoftheutmostcontempt——\"There——takethem，andfattenuponthem！Takethem，andmaytheythrivewithyouastheyhavedonewithme——astheyhavedonewitheverymortalwormthateverheardthewordspokenbyhisfellowreptile！Hence——eitherlabourorbegone！\"
\"Thisisafinerewardwehave，Earnscliff，forbuildingatabernacleforthedevil，andprejudicingourainsoulsintothebargain，forwhatweken。\"
\"Ourpresence，\"answeredEarnscliff，\"seemsonlytoirritatehisfrenzy；wehadbetterleavehim，andsendsomeonetoprovidehimwithfoodandnecessaries。\"
Theydidso。TheservantdispatchedforthispurposefoundtheDwarfstilllabouringathiswall，butcouldnotextractawordfromhim。Thelad，infectedwiththesuperstitionsofthecountry，didnotlongpersistinanattempttointrudequestionsoradviceonsosingularafigure，buthavingplacedthearticleswhichhehadbroughtforhisuseonastoneatsomedistance，heleftthematthemisanthrope’sdisposal。
TheDwarfproceededinhislabours，dayafterday，withanassiduitysoincredibleastoappearalmostsupernatural。Inonedayheoftenseemedtohavedonetheworkoftwomen，andhisbuildingsoonassumedtheappearanceofthewallsofahut，which，thoughverysmall，andconstructedonlyofstonesandturf，withoutanymortar，exhibited，fromtheunusualsizeofthestonesemployed，anappearanceofsolidityveryuncommonforacottageofsuchnarrowdimensionsandrudeconstruction。
Earnscliff；attentivetohismotions，nosoonerperceivedtowhattheytended，thanhesentdownanumberofsparsofwoodsuitableforformingtheroof，whichhecausedtobeleftintheneighbourhoodofthespot，resolvingnextdaytosendworkmentoputthemup。Buthispurposewasanticipated，forintheevening，duringthenight，andearlyinthemorning，theDwarfhadlabouredsohard，andwithsuchingenuity，thathehadnearlycompletedtheadjustmentoftherafters。Hisnextlabourwastocutrushesandthatchhisdwelling，ataskwhichheperformedwithsingulardexterity。
Asheseemedaversetoreceiveanyaidbeyondtheoccasionalassistanceofapassenger，materialssuitabletohispurpose，andtools，weresuppliedtohim，intheuseofwhichheprovedtobeskilful。Heconstructedthedoorandwindowofhiscot，headjustedarudebedstead，andafewshelves，andappearedtobecomesomewhatsoothedinhistemperashisaccommodationsincreased。
Hisnexttaskwastoformastrongenclosure，andtocultivatethelandwithinittothebestofhispower；until，bytransportingmould，andworkingupwhatwasuponthespot，heformedapatchofgarden-ground。Itmustbenaturallysupposed，that，asabovehinted，thissolitarybeingreceivedassistanceoccasionallyfromsuchtravellersascrossedthemoorbychance，aswellasfromseveralwhowentfromcuriositytovisithisworks。Itwas，indeed，impossibletoseeahumancreature，sounfitted，atfirstsight，forhardlabour，toilingwithsuchunremittingassiduity，withoutstoppingafewminutestoaidhiminhistask；and，asnooneofhisoccasionalassistantswasacquaintedwiththedegreeofhelpwhichtheDwarfhadreceivedfromothers，thecelerityofhisprogresslostnoneofitsmarvelsintheireyes。Thestrongandcompactappearanceofthecottage，formedinsoveryshortaspace，andbysuchabeing，andthesuperiorskillwhichhedisplayedinmechanics，andinotherarts，gavesuspiciontothesurroundingneighbours。Theyinsisted，that，ifhewasnotaphantom，——anopinionwhichwasnowabandoned，sinceheplainlyappearedabeingofbloodandbonewiththemselves，——yethemustbeincloseleaguewiththeinvisibleworld，andhavechosenthatsequesteredspottocarryonhiscommunicationwiththemundisturbed。Theyinsisted，thoughinadifferentsensefromthephilosopher’sapplicationofthephrase，thathewasneverlessalonethanwhenalone；andthatfromtheheightswhichcommandedthemooratadistance，passengersoftendiscoveredapersonatworkalongwiththisdwellerofthedesert，whoregularlydisappearedassoonastheyapproachedclosertothecottage。Suchafigurewasalsooccasionallyseensittingbesidehimatthedoor，walkingwithhiminthemoor，orassistinghiminfetchingwaterfromhisfountain。EarnscliffexplainedthisphenomenonbysupposingittobetheDwarf’sshadow。
\"Deilashadowhashe，\"repliedHobbieElliot，whowasastrenuousdefenderofthegeneralopinion；\"he’sowerfarinwi’
theAuldAnetohaveashadow。Besides，\"hearguedmorelogically，\"whaeverheardofashadowthatcambetweenabodyandthesun？andthisthing，beitwhatitwill，isthinnerandtallerthanthebodyhimsell，andhasbeenseentocomebetweenhimandthesunmairthananesortwiceeither。\"
Thesesuspicions，which，inanyotherpartofthecountry，mighthavebeenattendedwithinvestigationsalittleinconvenienttothesupposedwizard，werehereonlyproductiveofrespectandawe。Thereclusebeingseemedsomewhatgratifiedbythemarksoftimidvenerationwithwhichanoccasionalpassengerapproachedhisdwelling，thelookofstartledsurprisewithwhichhesurveyedhispersonandhispremises，andthehurriedstepwithwhichhepressedhisretreatashepassedtheawfulspot。Theboldestonlystoppedtogratifytheircuriositybyahastyglanceatthewallsofhiscottageandgarden，andtoapologizeforitbyacourteoussalutation，whichtheinmatesometimesdeignedtoreturnbyawordoranod。Earnscliffoftenpassedthatway，andseldomwithoutenquiringafterthesolitaryinmate，whoseemednowtohavearrangedhisestablishmentforlife。
Itwasimpossibletoengagehiminanyconversationonhisownpersonalaffairs；norwashecommunicativeoraccessibleintalkingonanyothersubjectwhatever，althoughheseemedtohaveconsiderablyrelentedintheextremeferocityofhismisanthropy，orrathertobelessfrequentlyvisitedwiththefitsofderangementofwhichthiswasasymptom。Noargumentcouldprevailuponhimtoacceptanythingbeyondthesimplestnecessaries，althoughmuchmorewasofferedbyEarnscliffoutofcharity，andbyhismoresuperstitiousneighboursfromothermotives。Thebenefitsoftheselastherepaidbyadvice，whenconsulted（asatlengthheslowlywas）ontheirdiseases，orthoseoftheircattle。Heoftenfurnishedthemwithmedicinesalso，andseemedpossessed，notonlyofsuchasweretheproduceofthecountry，butofforeigndrugs。Hegavethesepersonstounderstand，thathisnamewasElshendertheRecluse；buthispopularepithetsooncametobeCannyElshie，ortheWiseWightofMucklestane-Moor。Someextendedtheirqueriesbeyondtheirbodilycomplaints，andrequestedadviceuponothermatters，whichhedeliveredwithanoracularshrewdnessthatgreatlyconfirmedtheopinionofhispossessingpreternaturalskill。Thequeristsusuallyleftsomeofferinguponastone，atadistancefromhisdwelling；ifitwasmoney，oranyarticlewhichdidnotsuithimtoaccept，heeitherthrewitaway，orsufferedittoremainwhereitwaswithoutmakinguseofit。Onalloccasionshismannerswererudeandunsocial；andhiswords，innumber，justsufficienttoexpresshismeaningasbrieflyaspossible，andheshunnedallcommunicationthatwentasyllablebeyondthematterinhand。Whenwinterhadpassedaway，andhisgardenbegantoaffordhimherbsandvegetables，heconfinedhimselfalmostentirelytothosearticlesoffood。Heaccepted，notwithstanding，apairofshe-goatsfromEarnscliff，whichfedonthemoor，andsuppliedhimwithmilk。