keep as near as possible to his heels. "Yet do I remember me a colder night than this, two year ago this very day."

"Odd zooks! was it so indeed?" asked the other in a tone of monstrous wondering.

"Ay, that was it, Humphrey," replied the woman with impressive earnestness. "That night I had laid me down to rest my weary bones, and nigh unto midnight I had got me into the comfortablest slumber, weary body ever had, when there came at the gate so huge a noise, I had like to have been frightened out of my sleep and my wits too. I dressed me in a presently, wondering who could be a sending at that time, not expecting to hear from Mistress Hathaway, for a month to come, nor from Dame Hart, for a full week; when, looking out from the lattice I spied a horseman, in a cloak that swept down close upon his horse's heels, who, in a terrible high voice, bade me come quick, for life and death depended on my speed. Thereupon, as may be supposed of me, I made all convenient haste in my apparelling,-for thou knowest, Humphrey, I like to keep none waiting."

"O my life, Gammer Lambswool," exclaimed the other drily, "kept you not me an hour by the clock, ere I got sight of you, I know not what waiting means."

"Nay, nay-thou couldst not have been at the

"for

gate so long as that,” replied the old woman; ere thou hadst well knocked twice, I called to thee from the lattice."

"So God me save," cried out Humphrey, with wonderful emphasis, "I knocked some score of times to say nought of the monstrous bawling I kept up, loud enough to wake the seven sleepers; and I doubt not at all, master will give me a taste of the cudgel for having tarried so long."

"He shall do thee no such unkind office, be assured," said Gammer Lambswool, "for I will take care to bear thee blameless in the matter. But to return to what I was a saying," added she, too glad at having a listener to let him off without the whole story. "On coming to the gate, the stranger was for having me mount upon a pillion behind him, which I liked not at first; but upon his pressing the emergency of the case, and placing a gold piece in my hand, I made no more to do-for I like not appearing over scrupulous in matters of jeopardy, the more especially when an honest wage is to be gained by it. I had scarce got my seat when the stranger said he must needs blind-fold me, <the which I liked less than the other; but upon his assuring me I should suffer no harm, and placing another gold piece in my hand, I suffered it to be done, for thinks I, mayhap, the occasion requireth secresy; and I oft had a huge suspicion there was no necessity for me to seem to know more than

those who required my aid, would allow; if so be they paid me well for holding of my curiousness."

"Here be a villainous thick cloud about to cover up the moon, and be hanged to it !" exclaimed her companion in a tone of vexation, as, with a face waxing marvellously fearful, he watched the approach of a broad black cloud spreading over the sky. "Make more speed I pray you, good. Gammer, else shall we be left in the dark before we have got out of this field, which hath the horridest reputation of any place in these parts; and I like not passing through it at this late hour, I promise you."

"In honest truth it be not in good repute," observed the old woman, quickening her pace somewhat. "Unnatural strange sights have been seen here, and it be well known that they by whom they have been looked on, have never been themselves since. But to my story. Hardly had he blindfolded me, when he spurred his horse to so monstrous a pace, that it seemed more like unto flying than riding; and, not having been used to such, perchance I should soon have been jolted from my seat, had not I held my companion round the girdle as firm as a vice. Now began I to repent of my too great willingness to venture on this errand. I was going I knew not where, with I knew not whom, to do I knew not what; but when

I bethought me of the stranger's largess, I took heart, for out of all doubt a piece of gold is a notable fine recommendation in a new acquaintance; and methinks it be ungrateful to think ill of those who have behaved handsomely to you; so I said nought, and proceeded on my journey with as much contentation as I might."

"A grace of God, Gammer, make more speed !" cried her companion earnestly.

"I be getting on as fast as my old legs can carry me," answered she; and then continued her gossip. "Well, we travelled on at this terrible pace for I know not how long a time, till the horse came to a dead stop; and, with an injunction to be silent, my companion quickly alighted, carried me some little distance in his arms, led me up some steps, and then leading me yet a little further, suddenly pulled the bandage off my eyes. I found myself in a very stately chamber, having the most costly hangings eye ever beheld, and every thing of a like splendour about it. Lights were burning on a table close upon the bed's foot, but I had not time to notice one half of what was there, when my conductor haughtily bade me look to my patient, as he pointed to the bed; and hearing a most piteous groan, I hastened to do his bidding."

"Mercy, good Gammer, make more speed! These clouds be close upon the moon, and we not

half through this terrible field yet;" cried Humphrey, evidently more attentive to the look of the sky than the speech of his companion.

"Marry, 'tis so sure enough!" exclaimed the old dame, taking a hasty glance at the moon. “Well, there found I a dainty young creature assuredly in as doleful a strait as poor lady ever was; and I came in the very nick of time, to do her such desirable service as she required of me. I sought to give her what comfort I could, but I was stopped by the voice of him who had brought me, angrily bidding me hold my prate, and speed my office; and then broke he out into such bitter invectives against the poor lady, as were dreadful to hear, to the which she replied never a word, for indeed she could not, she was in such severe travail. At last, to my great joy, the lady became a mother; but scarce had I took the babe in my arms, when my gentleman, who had been all this time striding across the room, seemingly in a horrible bad humour, hearing the child cry, darted towards me, snatched it rudely away, and hurried out of the room with it. I felt at that moment as if 'twould be an easy matter to knock me down with a feather. I could have no doubt there was a most cruel mischief a-doing, and my blood run cold within me, at the thought of it.”

"There! the moon hath gone clean out of sight!" exclaimed Humphrey, as if in utter despair.