Some one was drawing water from a well across the road, for I
heard the rattle of the bucket, and the creak of the winch, in
the pause which now ensued, during which the Ancient, propped
upon his stick, surveyed me with an expression that was not
exactly anger, nor contempt, nor sorrow, and yet something of all
three. At length he sighed, and shook his head at me mournfully.
"Peter," said he, "Peter, I didn't think as you'd try to tak'
'vantage of a old man wi' a tale the like o' that such a very,
very old man, Peter--such a old, old man!"
"But I assure you, it's the truth," said I earnestly.
"Peter, I seen Scotchmen afore now," said he, with a reproachful
look, "ah! that I 'ave, many's the time, an' Scotchmen don't go
about wi' tails, nor yet wi' 'orns on their 'eads--leastways I've
never seen one as did. An', Peter, I know what a bagpipe is;
I've heerd 'em often an' often--squeak they do, yes, but a squeak
bean't a scream, Peter, nor yet a groan--no." Having delivered
himself of which, the Ancient shook his head at me again, and,
turning his back, hobbled away.
When I turned to look at George, it was to find him regarding me
with a very strange expression.
"Sir," said he ponderously, "did you sleep in th' 'aunted cottage
last night?"
"Yes, though, as I have tried to explain, and unsuccessfully it
seems, it is haunted by nothing more alarming than a Scots
Piper."
"Sir," said George, in the same slow, heavy way, "I--couldn't go
a-nigh the place myself--'specially arter dark--I'd be--ah! I'd be
afeard to! I did go once, and then not alone, and I ran away.
Sir, you'm a better man nor me; you done what I durstn't do.
Sir, if so be as you 'm in the same mind about it--I should like
to--to shake your hand."
So there, across the anvil which was to link our lives together
thenceforth, Black George and I clasped hands, looking into each
other's eyes.
"George," said I at last, "I've had no breakfast."
"Nor I!" said George.
"And I'm mightily hungry!"
"So am I," said George.
"Then come, and let us eat," and I turned to the door.
"Why, so we will--but not at--'The Bull'--she be theer. Come to
my cottage--it be close by--that is, if you care to, sir?"
"With all my heart!" said I, "and my name is Peter."