The Black Dwarf

ropos, and h

I do wish th

t love thee

of A

o return in time to partake of the venison, which had arrived from his house. Hobbie, who apparently to

it best to slip out quietly though, in case she should mislippen something of what we’re gaun to do

id Earnscliff; “she well

you as for me. But d’ye really think there’s nae presumption in

ess; but as I am of opinion that preternatural visitations are either ceased altogether, or become very rare in

fairies) that used to be seen on every green knowe at e’en, are no half sae often visible in our days. I canna depone to having ever seen ane mysell, but, I ance heard ane whistle ahint

eration to another which was inferred In this last observation; and they continued to reason

ing about yet!— But it’s daylight, and you have your gun, and

rnscliff; “but, in the name of wo

geese, as they ca’ thae great loose stanes — O

that he should have succeeded in moving several which he had already arranged for the foundation of his edifice. He was struggling to move a fragment of great size when the two young men came up, and was so intent upon executing his purpose, that he did not perceive them till they were close upon him. In straining and heaving at the stone, in order to place it according to his wish, he display

t be a man, after a’, I wonder what he wad take by the rood to build a march dyke. There’s ane sair wan

added the wild, irregular, and peculiar expression, so often seen in the countenances of those whose persons are deformed. His body, thick and square, like that of a man of middle size, was mounted upon two large feet; but nature seemed to have forgotten the legs and the thighs, or they were so very short as to be hidden by the dress which he wore. His arms were long and brawny, furnished with two muscular hands, and, where uncovered in the eagerness of his labour, were shagged with coarse black hair. It seemed as if nature had originally intended the separate parts of h

nd irritated look, until Earnscliff, willing to soothe him into better te

ified, by peevish gestures, his impatience at the time which they took in adjusting the stone. He pointed to another — they raised it also — to a third

moved, “Earnscliff may do as he likes; but be ye man or be ye waur, deil be in my fingers if I break my bac

tten upon them! Take them, and may they thrive with you as they have done with me — as they have done with

ilding a tabernacle for the devil, and prejudicing

irritate his frenzy; we had better leave him, and se

lad, infected with the superstitions of the country, did not long persist in an attempt to intrude questions or advice on so singular a fig

size of the stones employed, an appearance of solidity very uncommon for a cottage of such narrow dimensions and rude construction. Earnscliff; attentive to his motions, no sooner perceived to what they tended, than he sent down a number of spars of wood suitable for forming the roof, which he caused to be left in the neighbourhood of the spot, resolving ne

tools, were supplied to him, in the use of which he proved to be skilful. He constructed the door and window of his cot, he adj

his occasional assistants was acquainted with the degree of help which the Dwarf had received from others, the celerity of his progress lost none of its marvels in their eyes. The strong and compact appearance of the cottage, formed in so very short a space, and by such a being, and the superior skill which he displayed in mechanics, and in other arts, gave suspicion to the surrounding neighbours. They insisted, that, if he was not a phantom,— an opinion which was now abandoned, since he plainly appeared a being of blood and bone with themselves,— yet he must be in close league with the invisible world, and have chosen that sequestered spot t

ave a shadow. Besides,” he argued more logically, “wha ever heard of a shadow that cam between a body and the sun? and this thing, be it wh

sional passenger approached his dwelling, the look of startled surprise with which he surveyed his person and his premises, and the hurried step with which he pressed his retreat as he passed the awful spot. The boldest only stopped to gratify their curiosity by a hasty glance at the walls

n their diseases, or those of their cattle. He often furnished them with medicines also, and seemed possessed, not only of such as were the produce of the country, but of foreign drugs. He gave these persons to understand, that his name was Elshender the Recluse; but his popular epithet soon came to be Canny Elshie, or the Wise Wight of Mucklestane-Moor. Some extended their queries beyond their bodily complaints, and requested advice upon other matters, which he delivered with an oracular shrewdness that greatly confirmed the opinion of his possessing preternatural skill. The querists usually left some offering upon a stone, at a distance from his

cupied when disposed to receive his patients or clients. The inside of his hut, and that of his garden, he kept as sacred from human intrusion as the natives of Otaheite do their Morai;— apparently he wou

he Dwarf who, familiarized with his presence, took no farther notice of him than by elevating his huge mis-shapen head for the purpose of staring at him, and then again sinking it upon his

said, willing to lead this si

evil of a lot so miserable as that of mankind;

ity of our ordinary rural

so? Why should not the whole human herd butt, gore, and gorge upon each other, till all are extirpated but one huge and over-fed Behemoth, and he, when he had throttled and gnawed the bon

ds,” answered Earnscliff; “you labour to pres

n I attain the same end so well as by prolonging the lives of those who can serve the purpose of destruction as effectually?— If Alice of Bower had died in winter, would young Ruthwin have been slain for her love the last spring?— Who thought of penning

es. But, to balance the evil, there is my friend Hobbie, honest Hobbie of the Heugh-fo

olly. Have you marked the young cub of a wild cat that has been domesticated, how sportive, how playful, how gentle,— but t

,” answered Earnscliff; “but w

hat ever fired a helpless peasant’s abode. Can you deny, that even at present he often urges you to take bloody revenge for an injury received when you were a boy?”— Earnscliff started; the Recluse appeared not to observe his surprise, and proceeded —“The trumpet will blow, the young blood-hound will lap bloo

ainly shall not fail to consult you, with s

he wretchedness which his own visions, and the villainy of the world, are preparing for him? Why should I play the compassionate Indian, and, knocking out the brains of the captive with my tomahawk, at once spoil th

sent here, in one sense, to bear and to suffer; but, in another, to do and to enjoy. The active day has its eveni

eyes kindling with insane fury,—“I spurn at it, as worthy only of

that man’s fortune and life in my power as completely as this frail potsherd” (he snatched up an earthen cup which stood beside him), “I would not dash him into atoms thus”—(he flung the vessel with fury against the wall),—“No!” (he spoke more composedly, but with the utmost bitterness), “I would pamper him with wealth and power to inflame his evil passions, and to fulfil his evil desig

l to frenzy. Earnscliff left the moor with mingled sensations of pity and horror, pondering what strange and melancholy cause could have reduced to so miserable a state of mind, a man whose language argued him to be of rank and education much superior

mode of life, so uncouth a figure, and sentiments so virulently misanthropic, this