the haill
country kens that body Elshie's an unco man. O, if there was the law,
and the douce quiet administration of justice, that makes a kingdom
flourish in righteousness, the like o' them suldna be suffered to live!
The wizard and the witch are the abomination and the evil thing in the
land."

"Troth, mother," answered Hobbie, "ye may say what ye like, but I am in
the mind that witches and warlocks havena half the power they had lang
syne; at least, sure am I, that ae ill-deviser, like auld Ellieslaw, or
ae ill-doer, like that d--d villain Westburnflat, is a greater plague
and abomination in a country-side than a haill curnie o' the warst
witches that ever capered on a broomstick, or played cantrips on
Fastern's E'en. It wad hae been lang or Elshie had burnt down my house
and barns, and I am determined to try if he will do aught to build them
up again. He's weel kend a skilfu' man ower a' the country, as far as
Brough under Stanmore."

"Bide a wee, my bairn; mind his benefits havena thriven wi' a'body. Jock
Howden died o' the very same disorder Elshie pretended to cure him of,
about the fa' o' the leaf; and though he helped Lambside's cow weel out
o' the moor-ill, yet the louping-ill's been sairer amane; his sheep than
ony season before. And then I have heard he uses sic words abusing human
nature, that's like a fleeing in the face of Providence; and ye mind ye
said yoursell, the first time ye ever saw him, that he was mair like a
bogle than a living thing."

"Hout, mother," said Hobbie, "Elshie's no that bad a chield; he's a
grewsome spectacle for a crooked disciple, to be sure, and a rough
talker, but his bark is waur than his bite; sae, if I had anes something
to eat, for I havena had a morsel ower my throat this day, I wad streek
mysell down for twa or three hours aside the beast, and be on and awa'
to Mucklestane wi' the first skreigh o' morning."

"And what for no the night, Hobbie," said Harry, "and I will ride wi'
ye?"

"My naig is tired," said Hobbie.

"Ye may take mine, then," said John.

"But I am a wee thing wearied mysell."

"You wearied?" said Harry; "shame on ye! I have kend ye keep the saddle
four-and-twenty hours thegither, and ne'er sic a word as weariness in
your wame."

"The night's very dark," said Hobbie, rising and looking through the
casement of the cottage; "and, to speak truth, and shame the deil,
though Elshie's a real honest fallow, yet somegate I would rather take
daylight