Wife, let naught o'
this enchanter's remain i' the house, to be a curse, an' a snare to
us; gang an' bring him his gildit weapon, an' may the Lord protect
a' his ain against its hellish an' deadly point!"
The wife went to seek my poniard, trembling so excessively that
she could hardly walk, and, shortly after, we heard a feeble
scream from the pantry. The weapon had disappeared with the
clothes, though under double lock and key; and, the terror of the
good people having now reached a disgusting extremity, I
thought proper to make a sudden retreat, followed by the weaver's
anathemas.
My state both of body and mind was now truly deplorable. I was
hungry, wounded, and lame, an outcast and a vagabond in
society; my life sought after with avidity, and all for doing that to
which I was predestined by Him who fore-ordains whatever
comes to pass. I knew not whither to betake me. I had purposed
going into England and there making some use of the classical
education I had received, but my lameness rendered this
impracticable for the present. I was therefore obliged to turn my
face towards Edinburgh, where I was little known--where
concealment was more practicable than by skulking in the
country, and where I might turn my mind to something that was
great and good.
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