" So saying, she passed out of the shed, almost as much
disregarded by Dymock in her going out, as she had been in coming in.
And now, for another hour, the strokes of the hammers of old Shanty and
the young stranger might have been heard far over the moor in the
stillness of the night, for the wind had entirely died away, and the
fitful glare of the forge, still shone as a beacon over the heath. At
length, however, the job which the stranger had undertaken was finished,
and Dymock, having given him a silver piece, the only one in his pocket,
the young man took his leave, saying as he went out, and whilst he
tossed the silver in his hand,--"Well, if I have not got what I came
for, I have got that which is as good, and in return for your civility,
old gentleman," he added, addressing Shanty, "I give you a piece of
advice; nail the horse-shoe, which you would not spare to me, over your
own door, for I tell you, that you are in no small danger of being
over-reached by the very warlock, who has haunted my steps for many
a day."
So saying, he went gaily, and with quick step, out of the shed, and his
figure soon disappeared in a ravine or hollow of the moor.
In the mean time, Dymock and Shanty stood at the door. The former being
full of excitement, respecting the wonderful sagacity of the singular
stranger, and the other being impatient to see the master off, as he
wanted to shut up his shed, and to retire to the little chamber within,
which served him for sleeping apartment, kitchen, and store-room, not to
say study, for our worthy Shanty never slept without studying the Holy
Word of God.
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