They were probably
aware of his approach, for he had not halted for a moment before the
Dwarf returned to his cottage; and the taller figure who had accompanied
him, glided round the enclosure of the garden, and seemed to disappear
from the eyes of the admiring Hobbie.

"Saw ever mortal the like o' that!" said Elliot; "but my case is
desperate, sae, if he were Beelzebub himsell, I'se venture down the brae
on him."

Yet, notwithstanding his assumed courage, he slackened his pace, when,
nearly upon the very spot where he had last seen the tall figure,
he discerned, as if lurking among the long heather, a small black
rough-looking object, like a terrier dog.

"He has nae dog that ever I heard of," said Hobbie, "but mony a deil
about his hand--lord forgie me for saying sic a word!--It keeps its
grund, be what it like--I'm judging it's a badger; but whae kens what
shapes thae bogies will take to fright a body? it will maybe start up
like a lion or a crocodile when I come nearer. I'se e'en drive a stage
at it, for if it change its shape when I'm ower near, Tarras will never
stand it; and it will be ower muckle to hae him and the deil to fight
wi' baith at ance."

He therefore cautiously threw a stone at the object, which continued
motionless. "It's nae living thing, after a'," said Hobbie, approaching,
"but the very bag o' siller he flung out o' the window yesterday! and
that other queer lang creature has just brought it sae muckle farther
on the way to me." He then advanced and lifted the heavy fur pouch,
which was quite full of gold. "Mercy on us!" said Hobbie, whose heart
fluttered between glee at the revival of his hopes and prospects
in life, and suspicion of the purpose for which this assistance was
afforded him---"Mercy on us! it's an awfu' thing to touch what has been
sae lately in the claws of something no canny, I canna shake mysell
loose o' the belief that there has been some jookery-paukery of Satan's
in a' this; but I am determined to conduct mysell like an honest man and
a good Christian, come o't what will."

He advanced accordingly to the cottage door, and having knocked
repeatedly without receiving any answer, he at length elevated his voice
and addressed the inmate of the hut. "Elshie! Father Elshie! I ken ye're
within doors, and wauking, for I saw ye at the door-cheek as I cam ower
the bent; will ye come out and speak just a gliff to ane that has mony
thanks to gie ye?--It was a' true ye tell'd me abo