and were evidently not pleased at so
unseasonable an interruption to their mirth. I found that some
explanation was necessary as to the cause of my intrusion, and with
difficulty made them comprehend the nature of my alarm. I craved their
assistance for the removal of the body; promising, if possible, to
conduct them to the spot where the miserable victim was thrown. They
stared at each other during this terrible announcement; and, at the
conclusion, I found every one giving his neighbour credit for the
requisite portion of courage, though himself, at the same time,
declining to participate in the hazards of the undertaking.

"Roger towed me 'at he stood i' th' churchyard, wi' shoon-bottoms
uppermost, looking for the wench he wur to wed through the windows. Ise
sure he'll make noa bauk at a bogle."

"Luk thee, Jim, I canna face the dead; but I wunna show my back to a
live fist, the best and the biggest o' the country-side--Wilt' smell, my
lad?"

Roger, mortified at this test of his courage, raised his clenched hand
in a half-threatening attitude. A serious quarrel might have ensued, had
not a sudden stop been put to the proceedings of the belligerents by an
interesting girl stepping before me, modestly inquiring where I had left
the corpse; and offering herself as a companion, if these mighty cowards
could not muster sufficient courage.

"Shame on thee, Will!" she cried, directing her speech to a young man
who sat concealed by the shadow of the projecting chimney;--"shame on
thee, I say, to be o'erfaced by two or three hard words. I'se
ganging,--follow 'at dare."

Saying this, she took down a huge horn lantern, somewhat dilapidated in
the outworks, and burnt in various devices, causing a most unprofitable
privation of light. A bonnet and cloak, hastily thrown on, completed her
costume; and, surrendering the creaking lantern to my care, she stood
for a moment contemplating the dingy atmosphere before she stepped forth
to depart. During these ominous preparations, a smart sailor-looking
man, whose fear of his mistress' displeasure had probably overcome his
dread of the supernatural, placed himself between me and the maiden, and
taking her by the arm, crustily told me that if I could point out the
way, he was prepared to follow;--rather a puzzling matter for a
stranger, who scarcely knew whether his way lay right or left from the
very threshold. Thus admirably qualified for a guide, I agreed to make
the attempt, bein