travel over, stretched before him; but is dizzy and bewildered by the height which he has reached. I know—1 feel—that I am on the brink of fearful and dread discoveries;—pray God that—But heed me not, Sir,—heed me not—let us on—on!"
It was now approaching towards the evening; and as they walked on, having left the town, the sun poured his last beams on a group of persons that appeared hastily collecting and gathering round a spot, well known in the neighbourhood of Knaresbro', called Thistle Hill.
"Let us avoid the crowd," said the Curate.
"Yet what, I wonder, can be its cause?" While he spoke, two peasants hurried by towards the throng.
"What is the meaning of the crowd yonder!" asked the Curate.
"I don't know exactly, your honour; but I hears as how Jem Ninnings, digging for stone for the lime-kiln, have dug out a big wooden chest." A shout from the group broke in on the pea-
