g superstition, that his
person should be looked on with abhorrence, and even a touch from him be
accounted an evil of no slight import. His mother alone had the power of
communicating with him, or of understanding his grimaces.

"Now what will you give me for the use of his pretty eyes this lucky
night? The Thane will have regard to his testimony, though all that have
free use of the tongue he holds to be liars and dishonest. Never lied
this youth by sign or token!"

A buzz went through the company, and the dame and her boy again sat down
to await the issue. All eyes were directed towards them, timidly and by
stealth, as the consultation grew louder and more continuous.

A pause at length ensued. Some three or four of the group drew towards
the crone, who sat almost double, her chin resting on the neb of her
crutch.

"Now will we give thee two changes of raiment, together with a mess of
barley-pottage; and every year thou shalt have a penny at Easter, and a
fat hen at Shrovetide."

"Good," said the greedy beldame; "but I'll have a sheep-skin cap for the
boy, and a horn spoon." This demand was also granted; after which she
made signs to the lad, who swung his head to and fro, at the same time
distorting his features with a wild and terrible rapidity. It was
evident that he understood the nature of these proceedings. A glance,
like that of mockery and derision, he cast towards the crowd; and when
Mother Cicely was returning, he threw back upon them a look of scorn and
malignity which made the beholders shrink aside with horror.

The people now addressed themselves to the task of replacing the heavy
materials, and ere night the greater part were withdrawn, ready to
begin with the foundations again on the morrow.

A sort of rude shelter was constructed, wherein Uctred was to keep watch
until daylight.

The morning came, calm and beautiful over the grey hills; and the
anxious inhabitants, awake betimes, did each turn his first steps
towards the river's brink. With horror and amazement they again beheld
the ground bare. Not a vestige remained, nor was there any trace of the
boy.

"He is gone to his own," said they, as a general shudder went through
the crowd; "and the fairies have gotten him at last."

Every heart seemed quailing with some hidden fear; nor could any means
at that moment be suggested for their emancipation.

The stones and timber were again found, as before, on the opposite hill.
Fifty stout men