in as loud a tone as he could then raise his voice to, “I‘ Guide’s name, what ir ye, or what is’t ye’r seeking here at this time o’ nicht? No answer was made, but the figure still kept moving as formerly. “I ax ye again what ye ir? “cried Sauners—“speak or oo’ll blaw ye’r brains oot. Dinna think oo’ll let the graves o’ the dead be rifled in oor presence. “This appeal was as unsuccessful as the former one. Saunders’s embarrasment increased; for he was resolved to call only a third time. “I warn ye again to quat ye’re unhallowed wark and let the dead lie. I’ll no speak anither time, as Gude’s my help. “His last call was equally disregarded. With a trembling hand Saunders now pulled his son’s coat skirts; and with a not less trembling hand did his son venture to take aim and pull the trigger. Wonderful to relate, the shot took effect; for first a kind of shriek, and then a few deep sobs, announced the death of some creature or other.
Saundy did not fall backward as he had dreaded; but his father, on hearing the shriek of their victim, fell forward upon him, and crushed him, along with the Bible, to the floor, the bell rope happened to be dangling over the place; the hapless son grasped it in the unconciousness of his terror, and in striving to raise himself by it, set the
