I dreaded
the dawning, and trembled at the approach of night, nor was there
one thing in nature that afforded me the least delight.
In this deplorable state of body and mind, was I jogging on
towards the Tweed, by the side of the small river called Ellan,
when, just at the narrowest part of the glen, whom should I meet
full in the face but the very being in all the universe of God
would the most gladly have shunned. I had no power to fly fro
him, neither durst I, for the spirit within me, accuse him of
falsehood and renounce his fellowship. I stood before him like a
condemned criminal, staring him in the face, ready to be winded,
twisted, and tormented as he pleased. He regarded me with a sad
and solemn look. How changed was now that majestic
countenance to one of haggard despair--changed in all save the
extraordinary likeness to my late brother, a resemblance which
misfortune and despair tended only to heighten. There were no
kind greetings passed between us at meeting, like those which
pass between the men of the world; he looked on me with eyes
that froze the currents of my blood, but spoke not till I assumed
as much courage as to articulate: "You here! I hope you have
brought me tidings of comfort?"
"Tidings of despair!" said he.
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