Comprehending, from the various hints of his friend Touchwood, that the matter was of the last consequence, his own humanity, as well as inexperience, dictated his sending for skilful assistance.

His man-servant was accordingly dispatched on horseback to the Well for Dr.Quackleben; while, upon the suggestion of one of his maids, "that Mrs.Dods was an uncommon skeely body about a sick-bed," the wench was dismissed to supplicate the assistance of the gudewife of the Cleikum, which she was not, indeed, wont to refuse whenever it could be useful.

The male emissary proved, in Scottish phrase, a "corbie messenger;"[II-G] for either he did not find the doctor, or he found him better engaged than to attend the sick-bed of a pauper, at a request which promised such slight remuneration as that of a parish minister.

But the female ambassador was more successful; for, though she found our friend Luckie Dods preparing for bed at an hour unusually late, in consequence of some anxiety on account of Mr.
Touchwood's unexpected absence, the good old dame only growled a little about the minister's fancies in taking puir bodies into his own house; and then, instantly donning cloak, hood, and pattens, marched down the gate with all the speed of the good Samaritan, one maid bearing the lantern before her, while the other remained to keep the house, and to attend to the wants of Mr.Tyrrel, who engaged willingly to sit up to receive Mr.Touchwood.
But, ere Dame Dods had arrived at the Manse, the patient had summoned Mr.Cargill to her presence, and required him to write her confession while she had life and breath to make it.
"For I believe," she added, raising herself in the bed, and rolling her eyes wildly around, "that, were I to confess my guilt to one of a less sacred character, the Evil Spirit, whose servant I have been, would carry away his prey, both body and soul, before they had severed from each other, however short the space that they must remain in partnership!" Mr.Cargill would have spoken some ghostly consolation, but she answered with pettish impatience, "Waste not words--waste not words!--Let me speak that which I must tell, and sign it with my hand; and do you, as the more immediate servant of God, and therefore bound to bear witness to the truth, take heed you write that which I tell you, and nothing else.

I desired to have told this to St.Ronan's--I have even made some progress in telling it to others--but I am glad I broke short off--for I know you, Josiah Cargill, though you have long forgotten me." "It may be so," said Cargill.