, should be
divided into three parts. Away went the infernal spirits in great glee
to perform the task assigned them. On the sun rising the following
day, the hill had three cones, as are to be seen at the present time.
Back came the wicked beings to intimate that the task was
accomplished. This Sir Michael well knew meant a determination to have
more work, or to claim him in accordance with an agreement between
him and Satan. Scott remembered he had sold himself to his Satanic
Majesty, but did not forget that he was entitled to a respite so long
as he could procure diabolical work for Satan's favourite imps.
"What," Scott asked himself; "is next to be done? Am I to order the
world to be turned upside down, and perhaps perish in the ruins? or am
I to demand the evil spirits, which torment me night and day, to bring
down the sun, moon, and stars, and leave the universe in perpetual
darkness? No," replied he, mentally; "to do so, would be to make
myself more of a fiend than they that take pleasure in gathering
together into the place of torment those who have persistently
disobeyed the dictates of reason. Shall I then at once surrender
myself to the merciless tyrants, and thereby free the world from an
instrument of unrighteousness? Ah!" exclaimed Scott, "life is sweet,
and death bitter; let me prolong my days to the utmost limits allowed
to man." Exhausted, Sir Michael leaned back on the seat whereon he
sat. Long watching, deep study, and vexatious encounters with the evil
ones so exhausted him that he fell into a disturbed sleep. In his
dreams he beheld the place of torment with all its horrors. The fiery
lake looked more dismal than anything he had heard described, or what
he could have imagined. Within were many known faces; every one
endeavoured to excel the other in his endeavour to make the place what
it was intended to be--a place of torment. No one repented of his
wicked deeds or expected mercy. The gates of the unholy place were
thrown open, and in went the chief spirit that had so often communed
with Scott. Like a furnace door, the gate was closed after him. What
took place may be imagined. Again the red-hot gate turned on its
hinges, and out came Satan, with a thousand of his swiftest
messengers, to bring home Sir Michael, against whom a charge was
pending of breach of bargain. Horror-stricken, the sleeper started to
his feet, and to his great relief found none but his old familiar
spirits before him. "Work, m