; he's
looking at me just like they did."

"Go on, go on," said his wife; "never mind Old Tom."

"Where was I? Oh, they all stood still looking at me, when the one that
wasn't carrying the coffin came forward and, staring straight at me,
said to me--yes, I tell 'ee, _said_ to me, with a squeaky voice, 'Tell
Tom Tildrum that Tim Toldrum's dead,' and that's why I asked you if you
knew who Tom Tildrum was, for how can I tell Tom Tildrum Tim Toldrum's
dead if I don't know who Tom Tildrum is?"

"Look at Old Tom, look at Old Tom!" screamed his wife.

And well he might look, for Tom was swelling and Tom was staring, and at
last Tom shrieked out, "What--old Tim dead! then I'm the King o' the
Cats!" and rushed up the chimney and was never more seen.

Tamlane

Young Tamlane was son of Earl Murray, and Burd Janet was daughter of
Dunbar, Earl of March. And when they were young they loved one another
and plighted their troth. But when the time came near for their
marrying, Tamlane disappeared, and none knew what had become of him.

Many, many days after he had disappeared, Burd Janet was wandering in
Carterhaugh Wood, though she had been warned not to go there. And as she
wandered she plucked the flowers from the bushes. She came at last to a
bush of broom and began plucking it. She had not taken more than three
flowerets when by her side up started young Tamlane.

"Where come ye from, Tamlane, Tamlane?" Burd Janet said; "and why have
you been away so long?"

"From Elfland I come," said young Tamlane. "The Queen of Elfland has
made me her knight."

"But how did you get there, Tamlane?" said Burd Janet.

"I was hunting one day, and as I rode widershins round yon hill, a deep
drowsiness fell upon me, and when I awoke, behold! I was in Elfland.
Fair is that land and gay, and fain would I stop but for thee and one
other thing. Every seven years the Elves pay their tithe to the Nether
world, and for all the Queen makes much of me, I fear it is myself that
will be the tithe."

"Oh can you not be saved? Tell me if aught I can do will save you,
Tamlane?"

"One only thing is there for my safety. To-morrow night is Hallowe'en,
and the fairy court will then ride through England and Scotland, and if
you would borrow me from Elfland you must take your stand by Miles Cross
between twelve and one o' the night, and with holy water in your hand
you must cast a compass all around you."

"But how shall I know you, Tamlane?" q