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they discovered a form； apparently human； but of a size much less than
ordinary； which moved slowly among the large grey stones； not like a
person intending to journey onward； but with the slow； irregular； flitting
movement of a being who hovers around some spot of melancholy
recollection； uttering also； from time to time； a sort of indistinct muttering
sound。 This so much resembled his idea of the motions of an apparition；
that Hobbie Elliot； making a dead pause； while his hair erected itself upon
his scalp； whispered to his companion； 〃It's Auld Ailie hersell！ Shall I
gie her a shot； in the name of God？〃
〃For Heaven's sake； no；〃 said his companion； holding down the
weapon which he was about to raise to the aim〃for Heaven's sake； no； it's
some poor distracted creature。〃
〃Ye're distracted yoursell； for thinking of going so near to her；〃 said
Elliot； holding his companion in his turn； as he prepared to advance。
〃We'll aye hae time to pit ower a bit prayer （an I could but mind ane） afore
she comes this length God！ she's in nae hurry；〃 continued he； growing
bolder from his companion's confidence； and the little notice the
apparition seemed to take of them。 〃She hirples like a hen on a het girdle。
I redd ye； Earnscliff〃 （this he added in a gentle whisper）； 〃let us take a cast
about； as if to draw the wind on a buckthe bog is no abune knee…deep；
and better a saft road as bad company。〃 ＇The Scots use the epithet soft； IN
MALAM PARTEM； in two cases； at least。 A SOFT road is a road
through quagmire and bogs； and SOFT weather signifies that which is
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very rainy。＇
Earnscliff； however； in spite of his companion's resistance and
remonstrances； continued to advance on the path they had originally
pursued； and soon confronted the object of their investigation。
The height of the figure； which appeared even to decrease as they
approached it； seemed to be under four feet； and its form； as far as the
imperfect light afforded them the means of discerning； was very nearly as
broad as long； or rather of a spherical shape； which could only be
occasioned by some strange personal deformity。 The young sportsman
hailed this extraordinary appearance twice； without receiving any answer；
or attending to the pinches by which his companion endeavoured to
intimate that their best course was to walk on； without giving farther
disturbance to a being of such singular and preternatural exterior。 To the
third repeated demand of 〃Who are you？ What do you here at this hour
of night？〃a voice replied； whose shrill； uncouth； and dissonant tones
made Elliot step two paces back； and startled even his companion； 〃Pass
on your way； and ask nought at them that ask nought at you。〃
〃What do you do here so far from shelter？ Are you benighted on
your journey？ Will you follow us home （'God forbid！' ejaculated Hobbie
Elliot； involuntarily）； and I will give you a lodging？〃
〃I would sooner lodge by mysell in the deepest of the Tarras… flow；〃
again whispered Hobbie。
〃Pass on your way；〃 rejoined the figure； the harsh tones of his voice
still more exalted by passion。 〃I want not your guidance I want not
your lodgingit is five years since my head was under a human roof； and I
trust it was for the last time。〃
〃He is mad；〃 said Earnscliff。
〃He has a look of auld Humphrey Ettercap； the tinkler； that perished in
this very moss about five years syne；〃 answered his superstitious
companion； 〃but Humphrey wasna that awfu' big in the bouk。〃
〃Pass on your way；〃 reiterated the object of their curiosity； 〃the breath
of your human bodies poisons the air around methe sound of pour human
voices goes through my ears like sharp bodkins〃
〃Lord safe us！〃 whispered Hobbie； 〃that the dead should bear sie
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fearfu' ill…will to the living！his saul maun be in a puir way； I'm jealous。〃
〃Come； my friend；〃 said Earnscliff； 〃you seem to suffer under some
strong affliction； common humanity will not allow us to leave you here。〃
〃Common humanity！〃 exclaimed the being； with a scornful laugh
that sounded like a shriek； 〃where got ye that catch…wordthat noose for
woodcocksthat common disguise for man…trapsthat bait which the
wretched idiot who swallows； will soon find covers a hook with barbs ten
times sharper than those you lay for the animals which you murder for
your luxury！〃
〃I tell you； my friend；〃 again replied Earnscliff； 〃you are incapable of
judging of your own situationyou will perish in this wilderness； and we
must； in compassion； force you along with us。〃
〃I'll hae neither hand nor foot in't；〃 said Hobbie； 〃let the ghaist take his
ain way； for God's sake！〃
〃My blood be on my own head； if I perish here；〃 said the figure； and；
observing Earnscliff meditating to lay hold on him； he added； 〃And your
blood be upon yours； if you touch but the skirt of my garments； to infect
me with the taint of mortality！〃
The moon shone more brightly as he spoke thus； and Earnscliff
observed that he held out his right hand armed with some weapon of
offence； which glittered in the cold ray like the blade of a long knife； or
the barrel of a pistol。 It would have been madness to persevere in his
attempt upon a being thus armed； and holding such desperate language；
especially as it was plain he would have little aid from his companion；
who had fairly left him to settle matters with the apparition as he could；
and had proceeded a few paces on his way homeward。 Earnscliff；
however； turned and followed Hobbie； after looking back towards the
supposed maniac； who； as if raised to frenzy by the interview； roamed
wildly around the great stone； exhausting his voice in shrieks and
imprecations； that thrilled wildly along the waste heath。
The two s