hurried away home; but
though the afternoon had previously been very fine, he had scarcely reached
his door before a violent thunderstorm came to verify the clergyman's
words.

2. _The Heath-hounds_.--The _brutende heer_ are sometimes heard near
Dartmoor, and are known by the appellation of "Heath-hounds." They were
heard in the parish of St. Mary Tavy several years ago by an old man called
Roger Burn: he was working in the fields, when he suddenly heard the baying
of the hounds, the shouts and horn of the huntsman, and the smacking of his
whip. This last point the old man quoted as at once settling the question.
"How could I be mistaken? why I heard the very smacking of his whip."

3. _Cock scares the Fiend_.--Mr. N. was a Devonshire squire who had been so
unfortunate as to sell his soul to the devil, with the condition that after
his funeral the fiend should take possession of his skin. He had also
persuaded a neighbour to undertake to be present on the occasion of the
flaying. On the death of Mr. N., this man went in a state of great alarm to
the parson of the parish, and asked his advice. By him he was told to
fulfil his engagement, but he must be sure and carry a cock into the church
with him. On the night after the funeral, the man proceeded to the church
armed with the cock; and, as an additional security, took up his position
in the parson's pew. At twelve o'clock the devil arrived, opened the grave,
took the corpse from the coffin and flayed it. When the operation was
concluded, he held the skin up before him, and remarked: "Well! 'twas not
worth coming for after all, for it is all full of holes!" As he said this,
the cock crew; whereupon the fiend, turning round to the man, exclaimed:
"If it had not been for the bird you have got there under your arm, I would
have your skin too." But, thanks to the cock, the man got home safe again.

4. _Cranmere Pool_.--Cranmere Pool, in the centre of Dartmoor, is a great
penal settlement for refractory spirits. Many of the former inhabitants of
this parish are still there expiating their ghostly pranks. An old farmer
was so troublesome to his survivors as to require seven clergymen to secure
him. By their means, however, he was transformed into a colt; and a servant
boy was directed to take him to Cranmere Pool. On arriving at the brink of
the pool, he was to take off the halter, and return instantly without
looking round. Curiosity proving too powerful, he turned his head