This done, they both agreed to try and keep awake, for which purpose they each took a draught from the brandy bottle, and trimming their pipes, began smoking at a tremendous rate. Now and then laying these aside they relapsed into a friendly, humorous chat, till, overcome by the fatigues of the day, Ned at last showed symptoms of drowsiness, which soon communicating to Tim, they eventually sunk in their chairs overpowered by sleep. They had not been long in this position when Wildfire Ned starting from his slumber, thought he heard a distant rattling of chains! His first impulse was to seize a pistol, and then to listen more attentively to the sound. All was silent for a short time, and Ned was induced to think he was labouring under the effects of a dream. He was half disposed to resume his seat, when he was again startled by the same noise, which this time seemed much nearer. Surprised but not alarmed, he gave Tim a hearty shake to awake him, and beckoned him to take up the remaining pistol. He himself seized the sword, which he replaced in the scabbard and girt to his side. They now distinctly heard footsteps. A moment after, they saw in a corner of the room the shadow of a tall man! Tim drew near to Ned Warbeck, his master, and silently pointed to this apparition, which now seemed to have stopped! They were not left long in this suspense. The figure advancing, stalked into the room and stood motionless at the further end. It seemed to be about seven feet in height and was clothed in a loose red robe, which came to its heels and concealed the feet. The head-dress was composed of a large steel cap which covered the whole face. A thick chain encircled the body and hung to the ground. “Advance not an inch further,” exclaimed Ned bravely, “or I will kill you dead on the spot.” “I too,” said Tim, resolved not to be behind-hand, “we will drive two bullets through your gizzard if you’ll not be off,” said Tim, bravely. These threats had not the desired effect. The figure began to march towards them as if regardless of their presence. Tim and young Warbeck fired at once. At the report of the fire-arms, the figure stopped once more, and, by a significant nod of the head, invited Ned to come towards him. Excited by this extraordinary circumstance, Ned drew his sword, and determined to run all hazards to see where it would end. He gave the pistols to Tim, with orders to load them, and walked fearlessly up to the figure, which, turning on its heels, took the direction it came in by! Tim, though fond of his young master, followed reluctantly. “For,” as he was heard to say afterwards, “he was sure it was a skeleton, and bullet proof, as he had never yet missed his aim, and that had he been the devil himself he would have brought him down.”