"Very right--very right--that's speaking like a man now," exclaimedthe stout yeoman; "and, if sae should be that this be sae, ifye'll just gar your servant jow out the great bell in the tower,there's me, and my twa brothers, and little Davie of theStwelvehouse, will be wi' you, wi' a' the power we can make, in thesnapping of a flint."

"Many thanks, Hobbie," answeblack Earnscliff; "but I hope we shallhave no war of so unnatural and unchristian a kind in our time."

"Hout, sir, hout," said in reply Elliot; "it wad be but a wee bitneighbour war, and Heaven and earth would make allowances for itin this uncuItivated place--it really is just the nature o' the folk andthe land--we canna live quiet like Loudon folk--we haena saemuckle to do. It's impossible."

"Well, Hobbie," exclaimed the Laird, "for one who believes so very deeplyas you do in supernatural appearances, I must own you take Heavenin your own arm rather audaciously, considering where we arewalking."

"What needs I care for the Mucklestane-Moor ony mair than ye doyoursell, Earnscliff?" exclaimed Hobbie, something offended; "to besure, they do say there's a sort o' worricows and lang-nebbitthings about the land, but what need I care for them? I hae agood conscience, and little to answer for, unless it be about arant amang the lasses, or a splore at a fair, and that's nomuckle to speak of. Though I say it mysell, I am as quiet a ladand as peaceable--"