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, being determined to spare no pains, in the hope of discovering the object of our search.

Company breeds courage.  Several of the guests, finding how matters stood, and that the encounter was not likely to be made single-handed, volunteered their attendance; so that our retinue was shortly augmented to some half-dozen stout fellows.  The vanguard was composed of myself and the lovers; the rest crept close in our rear, forming their rank as broad as the nature of the ground would admit.