Occasionally she would
turn her head as the wind came hurrying on, and the loud rush of the
blast went past the dwelling. She seemed to gaze upon it as though
'twere peopled, and she beheld the "sightless coursers of the air"
careering on the storm; then, with a mutter and a groan, she again
covered her face, rocking to and fro to the chant of some wild and
unintelligible ditty. Her daughter sat nearly motionless, hearkening
eagerly during the short intervals between the gusts; and as the wind
came bellowing on, she huddled closer into the chimney-corner, whither
she had crept for protection.
"Such nights are not often known in these parts," said I, taking
advantage, as I spoke, of a pause in the warfare without. The old woman
made no answer; but the daughter, bending forwards, replied slowly and
with great solemnity:--"Mother has seen the death-lights dancing upo'
the black scud: some ha' seen the sun sink down upon the waters that
winna see him rise again fro' the hill-top."
"Is your mother a seer, then, my pretty maiden?"
"Ye're but a stranger, I guess, if you know not Bridget o' the Sandy
Holm--Save us! she's hearkening again for the"----
"There!--Once!" The old woman raised her hands as she spoke, and bent
her head in an attitude of listening and eager expectation.
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