Saunders, half crazy at this damning tissue of circumstantial, although false, evidence, rose and went out to satisfy himself. After inspecting the foot-marks, for there they were, sure enough, he returned to the house, and the first thing he did now was to gobble up his food, scalding hot as it was, as if he had been perishing of hunger. He then rose, and was rushing down stairs distractedly--when lo! who should enter but Mr Bland the minister? Here there was a new scene of crimination; and the poor creature was like to have made an end of himself in his despair, for when he seized the big "ha' Bible," and was about making oath upon it to his innocence, the minister took it forcibly from him. "Not in my presence, young man--not before me shall you imprecate the curse of the Almighty on the head of a perjurer." "Minister, minister, wad you hae my death--the death maybe of sowl and body--lie at your door? Send for Jessy Miller--lost creature as she is--send for her. She will not--she cannot condemn me." "Jessy Miller, sir!--the oath of a limmer like her is no worth a wunnlestrae." At this he sprang forth like a wild-beast when the goad is struck into him, and out to the hill-side, nor did he venture home that night. Listen. "The snow had fallen about the dawning, and, benumbed with cold, I was returning from my night-lair on the damp hill-side towards the village, with a determination to flee the bounds thereof, after once more trying to undeceive my auld father; for it was a dreary thocht to travel forth burdened with my ain misery, and the heavy load of a father's curse forby. As I came down the small lane, and got my first glimpse of Widow Miller's house, I stopped to take a last look at the bit bourock that sheltered her for whom, only twa days gane, I would have shed my reddest heart's-blood rather than sin or sorrow should have scathed her, or come near her dwelling. It was as yet scrimp daylight, naebody was stirring. The only indication of life (barring the twittering of the birdies in the trees, and the crowing of the cocks) was a thread of blue peat smoke rising from a cottage in the village, here and there; but the east was fast reddening, when lo! I saw the window of Jessy's room open gently, and, _what shall I say--what did I see_--but a wooden-leg, so sure as I was a sinful man, protrude therefrom! I went blin'--I went blin';--as I saw mysell, grey frock, timmer-tram and all, jump into the wee garden, open the small wicker-gate, and stump away in the direction of the manse.