at the usual boat was
moored within twenty yards--fifteen to be exact. Thus Caig, the
younger, and his thousand pounds passed unharmed. In the dull light I
could see him put his hand into an open packet of candy and take out a
piece to suck it. He went by whistling, mocking at me, as it
were--only that he was such a grown-up babe.

"But there was worse to come. At some risk to myself I followed
behind. He never even looked over his shoulder, only quickening his
pace as he got near to the tumble-down, out-at-elbows steading of
Little Springfield which he had leased for himself.

"The inhabitants, one and all, must have been waiting for young Jamie
Caig. For before I could turn away a troop of children issued out and
rushed at him, taking him by escalade, routed out his pockets, even his
wife and sisters taking part, and he all the time laughing. I never
saw a more disgusting sight in my life.

"That night I broke in the door of Jeremy's room where he sat playing
on the flute, and, with a revolver in one hand to keep him in awe, I
thrashed him severely about the neck and shoulders with my cane. His
sister said that it was the only way to teach him obedience.

"Indeed, Miss Orrin was a sensible woman, and at this time remained my
only stand-by. So long as I supported the mad troop, I could count
upon her, even though it perilled her soul. She aided me with her
brother also, and from her I learned a thing about Jeremy which, though
I am generally brave enough, I will admit disquieted me.

"Jeremy had taken to digging under the lily roots with his finger
nails, and when checked for it by his sister, he said that he wanted to
see whether Lang Hutchins, Harry Foster, and the others were 'coming
up.' He added that there would be a resurrection some day, and he was
scratching to see how soon it would happen. He did not want it to come
unawares, when he was asleep, for instance.

"And he made even my well-trained blood run cold by laughing with
chuckling pleasure, declaring that 'when they stick their heads
through, Jeremy will be on hand to do his wark a' ower again! He will
twine a halter round their necks as they are sproutin' and fill their
mouths fu' o' clay. Then Jeremy will defy even Aphra to gar them rise
again. There's nae word o' twa resurrections, ye ken! So Jeremy will
do for them that time!'

"At other seasons, especially after he had been punished for scratching
in the soil, he would cry like