George could not
swallow this, for he had seen his own shadow on the cloud, and,
instead of approaching to aught like his own figure, he perceived
nothing but a halo of glory round a point of the cloud that was
whither and purer than the rest. Gordon said, if he would go with
him to a mountain of his father's, which he named, in
Aberdeenshire, he would show him a giant spirit of the same
dimensions, any morning at the rising of the sun, provided he
shone on that spot. This statement excited George's curiosity
exceedingly; and, being disgusted with some things about
Edinburgh, and glad to get out of the way, he consented to go
with Gordon to the Highlands for a space. The day was
accordingly set for their departure, the old laird's assent obtained,
and the two young sparks parted in a state of great impatience for
their excursion.
One of them found out another engagement, however, the instant
after this last was determined on. Young Wringhim went off the
hill that morning, and home to his upright guardian again without
washing the blood from his face and neck; and there he told a
most woeful story indeed: how he had gone out to take a
morning's walk on the hill, where he had encountered with his
reprobate brother among the mist, who had knocked him down
and very near murdered him; threatening dreadfully, and with
horrid oaths, to throw him from the top of the cliff.
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