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Page 26
Time passed on and the clock struck eight; the hour fixed on, to leave
the inn, for Castle Hill: when papa brought a large trunk and basket,
which he had tried to fix on Davy's shoulders; but strong as he was,
he was unable to carry them both, he therefore got a wheel barrow, for
the trunk; while papa and I carried the basket between us, and off we
started. A great concourse of people were at the door; many of whom
accompanied us to the foot of the hill, and there left us.
We went in and took up our quarters in the room, in which was the
bedstead and which was considered to be the most constant rendezvous
of the ghost. Davy lighted a good fire and found a table and three
chairs one of which however proved rickety, so Davy had to seat
himself on the trunk. To our surprise we found the bedstead not in the
same place in which we saw it in the morning. This rather, at least so
I thought, astonished papa; however he made no comment on the
circumstance.
Papa had taken care to bring a good supper; He also brought a large
pair of pistols, and we had a blunderbuss, the latter, the property of
our friend Davy. These with a sword he arranged to his own
satisfaction under the pillow, and in about an hour, we sat down to a
good and substantial supper. Davy offered to replace what was left in
the basket but papa jokingly told him to leave it for the ghost. We
now sat for nearly an hour and a half, and except some occasional out
burst of merriment, as Davy told us some droll things, about the
ghost, which were current in the village, we were as still as we well
could be.
At last I got very sleepy, as well I might, for it was nearly twelve
o'clock. Papa made me lie down and said he thought he would do so
himself; not thinking he said, it was necessary to shew so much
courtesy to the ghost, as wait for it. We did not undress. Davy fixed
himself before the, fire and soon gave proof, that he was asleep, by
snoring most loudly.
Mind my dear Charles, in giving you this account, that papa told me
about it afterwards; for I had fallen asleep too.
Till five minutes to twelve all was quiet as the grave, and then
commenced the slamming of the doors and knockings, and thumpings, as
if done with the instrument the paviours use to beat down the stones
they pave with. This continued some minutes, and then the door
gradually opened, and a female, tall and thin, entered, dressed in an
old fashioned yellow brocade, with a sweeping train. Over her head was
thrown an immense gauze veil; her features were sharp and she was very
pale. She paused as she entered, and advancing half way from the door
to the bed she again made a full stop, upon which papa rose up and sat
on the bed, when she threw out her arms, exclaiming:
"Impious and daring mortal; why presumest thou to intrude here, where
none like thee are permitted to come? Of all those who have attempted
it. None have ever been left to tell the tale!"
"Indeed!" said my father advancing towards her. "I trust you will make
me an exception, however."
"Hold!" said she "nor dare come nigh to one, whose nature is so
different to thine own."
"Aye!" said my father "who then and what art thou?"
"Not flesh and blood as thou art; again I ask, rash mortal, why are
_thou_ here?"
"I remained this night, madam, in the hopes of meeting you, that I
might inform you that having purchased this property, I purpose
residing on it, at least six months of the year, consequently, I must
request you and your friends, supernatural or human, to quit the place
altogether."
"Many before," said she, "have tried, but vainly, to retain possession
and to attempt it would be fatal."
"Enough," said my father drawing a pistol from a belt under his coat,
"if you are really of a spiritual nature, my weapon will be harmless,
if you are not, the consequences be upon your own head." As he spoke
he pointed the pistol at her heart. With a courage worthy a better
cause, she darted by him and tried one or two of the wainscot panels
as if seeking a private spring, which Davy who, was fully awake by
this time perceiving, sprang up, and caught hold of her, grasping her
tightly; she wrestled with him with the strength of a lioness, and but
for papa's help, she must have escaped; he now fired the pistol at the
wainscot, to show her it really contained a slug, which he thought she
might doubt, and taking the fellow instrument from his pocket, told
her it was loaded like the other and that, unless she that moment
really and truly confessed who and what she was, and by whom employed,
her hours were numbered.
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