‘truſted to me his apprehenſions on your account, Mr. Number-Nip, as they ſhould now croſs the mountain in the night, in conſequence of the delay occaſioned by the accident. This suggeſted the idea of turning to advantage the cowardice of the party, and trying my talents in the capacity of an apparition. I ſlipped into the dwelling: houſe of my landlord and patron, the pariſh clerk, who happened juſt then to be abſent. I firſt laid hold of the black gown, his robe of office, at the ſame moment the gourd, that ſerved for the ornament of the cup-board, attracted my notice. Thus accoutred, and provided with a ſturdy cudgel beſide, I betook myſelf to the wood, and there fitted up my maſk. What uſe I made of it you already know. That I ſhould have happily executed the maſter-ſtroke of my whole life but for your intervention, can admit of little doubt; the game indeed was already won. After
