ained that his brother harassed him with his presence at all
times, and in all places. Old Dal asked why he did not kick the dog out
of his presence whenever he felt him disagreeable? George said he
seemed to have some demon for a familiar. Dal answered that he did not
wonder a bit at that, for the young spark was the third in a direct
line who had all been children of adultery; and it was well known that
all such were born half-deils themselves, and nothing was more likely
than that they should hold intercourse with their fellows. In the same
style did he sympathize with all his son's late sufferings and
perplexities.

In Mr. Adam Gordon, however, George found a friend who entered into all
his feelings, and had seen and known everything about the matter. He
tried to convince him that at all events there could be nothing
supernatural in the circumstances; and that the vision he had seen on
the rock, among the thick mist, was the shadow of his brother
approaching behind him. George could not swallow this, for he had seen
his own shadow on the cloud, and, instead of approaching to aught like
his own figure, he perceived nothing but a halo of glory round a point
of the cloud that was whither and purer than the rest. Gordon said, if
he would go with him to a mountain of his father's, which he named, in
Aberdeenshire, he would show him a giant spirit of the same dimensions,
any morning at the rising of the sun, provided he shone on that spot.
This statement excited George's curiosity exceedingly; and, being
disgusted with some things about Edinburgh, and glad to get out of the
way, he consented to go with Gordon to the Highlands for a space. The
day was accordingly set for their departure, the old laird's assent
obtained, and the two young sparks parted in a state of great
impatience for their excursion.

One of them found out another engagement, however, the instant after
this last was determined on. Young Wringhim went off the hill that
morning, and home to his upright guardian again without washing the
blood from his face and neck; and there he told a most woeful story
indeed: how he had gone out to take a morning's walk on the hill, where
he had encountered with his reprobate brother among the mist, who had
knocked him down and very near murdered him; threatening dreadfully,
and with horrid oaths, to throw him from the top of the cliff.

The wrath of the great divine was kindled beyond measure. He cursed the
aggressor