But we have other things to fear; what think ye of highway robbers ?" "Highway robbers!" said Tammie.

"Kay, kay; I'll tell ye of something that I met in wi' mysell.

Ae dark winter night, as I was daundering hame frae Pathhead--it was pitmirk, and about the twall--losh me, I couldna see my finger afore me!--that a stupid thocht cam into my head that I wad never wun hame, but be either killed, lost, murdered, or drowned, between that and the dawing.

All o' a sudden I sees a light coming dancing forrit amang the trees; and my hair began to stand up on end.

Then, in the next moment--save us a'!--I sees anither light, and forrit, forrit they baith cam, like the een of some great fiery monster, let loose frae the pit o' darkness by its maister, to seek whom it might devour." "Stop, Tammie," said I to him, "yell wauken Benjie.