To burn their nits and pou’ their stocks, and hold their hallowe’en,
For blythe that night.”
For miles around the annual invitations had been sent broadcast, and to-night the capacious kitchen was taxed to its utmost. It was, however, a singularly good-natured, if over-hilarious3, gathering4 that had assembled to do justice to old Bess’s cooking, and to test their fate through the medium of the many charms so well known to all the peasantry.
There was Poosie Nancy in her stiffly-starched frilled cap and her new kirtle, complacently5 nodding here and there to all of her acquaintances as they flocked about her. Poosie Nancy was a merry old soul. For years she had been the mistress of the Arms Inn, the public house on the high road, where Souter and Tam O’Shanter were wont6 to idle away their time and, incidentally, their “siller.” Standing7 on one foot behind her was Molly Dunn. Molly was consciously resplendent in a new plaid frock, made by her own unskilled hands, and while it was certainly[87] not a thing of beauty, it surely was a joy forever, to the lassies, who laughingly twitted her about her handiwork. But she heeded8 not their good-natured jibes9. She was admiringly watching Daddy Auld10, the little old minister, who sat in the midst of an admiring group of his parishioners at the other side of the room, who evidently stood in no awe11 of him, judging from the bursts of laughter which greeted his frequent attempts at jocularity.
“Where is Tam O’Shanter, Souter Johnny?” suddenly asked old Bess, who was proudly doing the honors as mistress of ceremonies. Souter was assiduously paying court to the comely12 Poosie Nancy in the opposite corner with an eye to future possibilities.
“He willna be here till late,” he replied impatiently, addressing the crowd. “I left him at the Arms Inn, an’ if he drinks much mair whisky, he will na’ be here at all, I’m thinkin’,” and he turned eagerly to his inamorata, who was fanning herself indifferently with a plantain leaf.
“He’ll fall into the Doon some night an’ be drowned, sure as fate,” said she, carelessly dismissing the subject.
“Take your partners for the reel!” shouted big Malcolm Macr? stentoriously, at this juncture13. Old Donald tuned14 up his fiddle16 with gleeful alacrity17.
Souter ceremoniously offered Poosie his arm, which she condescendingly accepted, and majestically18[88] they walked to the middle of the floor. With much laughing and joking and good-natured rivalry19, they were all quickly paired off, and soon the rafters rang with the happy voices of the hilarious dancers as they merrily sang to the tune15 that blind Donald was scratching out on his old and faithful, though unmelodious, fiddle.
Mary had taken no part in the merrymaking, for she felt heavy and sad at heart. From her seat in the corner, where the light was the dimmest, she had watched the door with patient anxiety, hoping against hope that Robert would come, but she had waited in vain, and now the evening was nearly spent and soon they would be going home, happy and tired after their sport and entertainment, while she would steal away to her quarters over the kitchen and cry herself to sleep, as she had done for many nights past. Souter Johnny, who was in his element and the merriest of them all, had tried vainly to induce her to join the revelers in their sport, and many an honest laddie had sought her hand in the dance, only to be shyly refused. So gradually she was left in peace, and soon forgotten amid the excitement of their diversions. They had tried some of the famous charms, which decided22 the destinies of many of the lads and lassies that night, and now old Bess brought forth23 her long-hoarded bag of nuts, which she divided among them. Amid shouts of mirth and laughter, they proceeded to test the most famous of all the charms. As they rushed pell-mell to the fireplace[89] and laid each particular nut in the fire, for which they had named the lad or lassie of their choice, and stood there eagerly watching, open-mouthed, to see how they would burn, Mary, with a quickly beating heart, stole unperceived close to the front row of watchers, and with a little prayer, quietly threw her pair into the fire. For a moment they burned slowly side by side, then with a hop21 and a jump they popped madly about, and finally at opposite sides of the fireplace they glowed redly for a time, then expired altogether. With a little, suppressed sob24, unheeded in the general excitement, she hurried back to her seat, pale and trembling. It was as she had feared: the course of their love was never again to run smoothly25, the charm had spoken. It had never been known to predict wrongly. Why had she sought to find out her fate? she asked herself pathetically. Unheeding the merry songs and dances going on around her, of which they never seemed to weary, and the unco tales and funny jokes, she sat there thinking her sweet, sad thoughts, and patiently waiting till they should depart for their homes, that she might seek the quiet of her bed, where her aching heart might find relief in the tears which nowadays were so hard to control. Suddenly the laughter subsided28, and Mary with a start raised her head to see all eyes turned on her.
“Mary, come here, lass,” called Souter Johnny, who was fanning himself vigorously.
“It’s your turn noo, Mary,” they cried boisterously29.[90] “So gie us a dance or a song,” and they all pressed around her with good-natured suggestions.
Old Bess took the shrinking girl by the hand, and leading her forward, with a deep courtesy announced, “Hieland Mary will favor us wi’ a song,” then she left Mary standing in the center of the room suffering agonies of dread30 as she raised her frightened eyes to the group of laughing, good-natured, gaping31 faces about her.
“Yes, ye can, dearie, just a—a verse, there’s a girlie,” he answered encouragingly. “Come and stand beside me, if that’s any inspiration to ye,” he added, smiling good-humoredly.
She ran to his side, and clutching him by the arm, tried to muster34 up her courage, for the good-natured audience were clamorously demanding a song. With a frightened little gasp35 she began to sing the first thing that came to her mind. “Oh, where, and oh, where is my Highland36 laddie gone?” she faltered out. A little titter passed through the crowd, for they knew that “Rab Burns was nae longer sweet on Mary Campbell,” as they told each other in loud whispers. At the cruel sound Mary, whose lips had trembled ominously37 as she thought of her recreant38 lover, with an indignant look at the thoughtless ones, burst into a flood of tears. Quickly Souter led her[91] sobbing39 to a seat, while the others anxiously crowded round, conscience-stricken at their thoughtless levity40.
“What’s happent? what’s happent? Has she fainted?” they asked in helpless confusion, gazing from one to the other.
“She’s only a wee bittie tired,” answered old Souter, tenderly smoothing the hair of the sorrowing lass. “Let her alone an’ she’ll be all right. Donald,” he called, “start your fiddle; we’re gang to hae anither dance.”
The blind old patriarch smiled serenely41, and raising his fiddle to his chin began to play, and soon the mirth and fun grew fast and furious as the dancers reeled and set, and crosst and cleekit.
While old Donald was playing, and the dance was well started, Souter quietly led Mary out in the open air, and sitting down on the doorstep, he drew her gently beside him. “Noo, Mary, what is the matter?” he inquired kindly42. “Winna ye tell old Souter Johnny your trouble?”
“Ye ken20 why I am unhappy, Souter Johnny,” answered Mary apathetically43. He sighed and remained silent.
“Have ye an’ Robert quarreled?” he asked presently.
“No,” she answered sadly.
“Weel, come tell old Souter; it may ease your mind, lassie,” and he drew her plaid about her shoulders, for the night air was keen.
[92]
“Well, ye ken, Souter,” she faltered, a pitiful little break in her voice, “Robbie an’ I were to be married after the plantin’ was o’er, and ’tis noo harvest time, but ne’er a word has he spoke26 of our marriage since that day. He is so changed, Souter, I—I canna understand him at all,” and she leaned wearily against his shoulder like a tired child.
“That Armour44 lass is at the bottom of it all, I ken,” thought Souter angrily, drawing her close to him.
“Perhaps,” continued Mary sadly, “perhaps he has grown tired of his Highland Mary.” She plucked idly at the fringe of her plaid, a look of resignation on her sweet face.
“Tired o’ ye?” repeated Souter incredulously. “A man would be a most fearful fool to gie up such a bonnie, sweet lassie as ye are. Noo, if I were only younger, Robbie Burns wouldna hae things all his own way, I tell ye,” and he nodded his head vigorously.
“I ken he has some trouble,” said Mary, not heeding27 his jocular efforts to cheer her, “that makes him so unhappy like; if he would only let me share that trouble wi’ him, whate’er it is, how gladly I would do it.”
Souter rubbed his bearded chin reflectively.
“Weel, Mary, ye ken Robert’s a genius,” he answered soberly. “An’ ye can ne’er tell how a genius is gang to act, therefore ye must ne’er be[93] surprised, Mary, at whate’er he does, for genius is but anither name for eccentricity45 an’—an’ perverseness,” and he sighed deeply, his kind old face wrinkled with perplexity.
“I feel, Souter,” she continued, pathetically calm, “that I am slowly, but surely, drifting out o’ his life forever.” She gazed suddenly into the face bending over her solicitously46.
“Dinna ye know the cause, Souter?” she asked beseechingly.
He brushed his hand across his eyes and slowly shook his head. She sighed patiently and turned away her head and gazed listlessly into space. For a few moments there was deep silence, broken only by the bursts of laughter which came to them at intervals47 from within.
“Lassie, listen to me,” finally said the old man, his voice cheery and hopeful once more. “Ye mustna be so down-hearted; there is a cause for everything in this world, an’ I ken Robert loves ye wi’ all his heart, just the same as ever. Why, ye can see the glimmer48 o’ love in his e’e whene’er he looks at ye.” He smiled approvingly as Mary’s face brightened, then continued decidedly, “Robert is well-nigh daft that he hasna heard frae Lord Glencairn all this time; that is why he is sae worrid an’ nervous, sae moody49 an’ neglectful; noo cheer thee, lassie, it’ll all come right in time,” and he patted her shoulder lovingly.
[94]
“Oh, I feel sae much better, Souter,” she murmured, pressing his hand gratefully. “An’ noo I’ll na borrow trouble any mair, thinkin’ Robert doesna’ love me.” She smiled happily and jumped lightly to her feet.
“Whist, Mary, why dinna ye make sure o’ that?” whispered Souter, looking around him mysteriously. She looked at him wonderingly. “’Tis Hallowe’en, ye ken, an’ a’ the witches an’ fairies are about this night an’ will grant any wish made. Try a charm, lassie.”
“I did try one,” replied Mary with a sigh. “I burned the nuts, but it didna’ come out right; that’s what made me sad.”
“Ah, weel, try anither; go pull a stock.”
“Oh, nay50, I’m afraid to go out in the field at night,” she replied timidly, drawing back. “But I’ll go if ye’ll come wi’ me.” She held out her hand to him.
“Nay, thank ye, Mary,” he said grimly. “I dinna’ care to see the face o’ my future wife just yet; I fear I couldna’ stand the shock.”
“Well, I darena’ go alone,” answered Mary decidedly, her hand on the latch51. “Think of anither charm, one I can do indoors.”
“An’ do ye think the fairies will come around where ’tis light?” he cried in amazement52. “Och, no, ye must go to the darkest place ye can find.”[95] His little round eyes gazed into hers with solemn earnestness.
Mary shivered with apprehension53 and peered into the darkness. “Oh, Souter, think o’ the witches,” she said nervously54.
“They willna’ hurt ye,” he answered a little impatiently. “Ye maun sow a handful of hempseed an’ harrow it o’er wi’ anything ye can draw after ye, an’ repeat o’er and o’er,” assuming a guttural monotone:
“Hempseed, I sow thee; hempseed, I sow thee,
And him that is to be my true love,
Come after me and draw thee.”
“And will I see him then?” whispered Mary eagerly, drawing near to him.
“Aye,” returned Souter hoarsely56. “Look over your left shoulder an’ ye’ll see your future husband pullin’ hemp55. Noo, off wi’ ye; ye’ll find some seed in the barn.” Mary tried to summon up her courage, for she was highly superstitious57, like all the peasantry, and was anxious to test the potency58 of the charm, and finally succeeded in taking a few faltering59 footsteps in the direction of the barn, when suddenly the door behind them opened, and Molly Dunn appeared in the doorway60. She held in one hand a lighted candle, while in the other she carried a broken piece of looking-glass, into which she[96] was gazing intently, her eyes fixed61 and staring. Behind her, crowding through the doorway, followed the now noiseless revelers, who were stifling62 their laughter to breathlessly watch the outcome of the well-known charm, whose power Molly had decided to put to a test, though believing staunchly in its potency. Molly majestically walked down the steps and across to the well, where, depositing her mirror on the curbing63, she took from the pocket of her skirt a round, red apple, from which she bit a goodly piece and began vigorously to chew upon it, the while holding her candle above her head and anxiously watching her reflection in the mirror.
“Molly’s eatin’ the apple at the glass,” chuckled64 Souter to Mary softly. “She’s lookin’ for the face o’ her future husband. Let’s hae some fun wi’ her.” He motioned to them all to keep silent, and stealing softly over to the unconscious Molly, intoned in a deep sepulchral65 voice, “Molly Dunn, if ye would see your future husband, dinna’ ye dare turn your head this way.”
Molly gave a shriek66 of terror, thereby67 choking herself with the piece of apple she was industriously68 eating, and falling on her knees, her teeth chattering69 in fear, she cried frantically70, “The witches! the witches!”
“Nay, I’m the Deil himsel’,” answered Souter in awe-inspiring accents. Molly groaned71 aloud, in mortal terror, not daring to turn around. “An’ I’ve[97] come for ye, Molly Dunn,” slowly continued her tormentor72.
“Nay, nay!” cried Molly, her eyes staring wildly in front of her. “I want naught73 to do wi’ ye; gang awa’, gang awa’!” and she wildly waved her hands behind her.
“Not till ye’ve seen the face o’ the man ye’ll wed,” replied the voice. “Beauteous fairy of Hallowe’en, come forth,” he commanded majestically, beckoning74 to Mary to come nearer. She did so. “Speak, kind fairy.” He whispered to her what to say to the awestruck Molly.
Thus admonished75, Mary, who was once more her old light-hearted winsome76 self, raised her sweet voice and spoke in a high falsetto, “Gaze in the looking-glass, Molly Dunn; eat o’ the apple, think o’ the one ye desire to see, an’ his face will appear beside yours.”
“Behold, I pass the magic wand o’er your head, ye faithless woman,” added Souter threateningly.
Hurriedly Molly complied with the injunctions, and patiently she knelt there, apple in hand, the candle light glaring full on her eager, ugly face, and the wisp of faded hair tied tightly on top of her head, which was waving wildly about, while she waited for the face to appear beside her own reflection in the glass.
“Do ye see him yet?” asked Mary eagerly, forgetting her r?le of “The Fairy of Hallowe’en,”[98] and speaking in her natural tone, while the group at the doorway drew closer to the kneeling woman in their excited curiosity.
“Nay, not yet,” replied Molly in an awestruck whisper.
“Hold the candle higher,” admonished Souter, “an’ eat quicker.” Molly did so. “Noo do you see your handsome lover?” He crept up slyly behind Molly, and bending over her shoulder, peered into the glass, where he beheld77 the shadowy reflection of his own face looming78 up beside that of the wondering Molly. With a gasp of pleasure not unmixed with fear, she dropped the glass, and turning quickly grabbed the surprised Souter and held him close. As she raised her candle to see whom the fairies had sent to her, she recognized her tormentor, and with a shriek of rage, she clouted79 the laughing Souter over the head with her candlestick, amid peals80 of laughter from the delighted spectators, until he called for mercy.
“Dinna I suit ye, Molly?” he asked in an injured tone, nursing his sorely punished head.
“Ye skelpie limmer’s face, ye, how dare ye try sich sportin’ wi’ me?” she cried angrily.
“The glass canna’ lie,” called out old Bess with a shake of her frilled cap.
“An’ ye seen Souter’s face there, Molly,” laughed Poosie Nancy loudly. “There’s no gainsaying81 that.”
[99]
“I want a braw mon, a handsome mon,” whimpered Molly. “Ye’re no a mon at all, ye wee skelpie limmer.” The burst of laughter which greeted this sally was very disconcerting to Souter, whose height, five feet two inches, was distinctly a sore subject.
“Try anither charm, Molly,” said Mary, feeling sorry for the poor innocent.
“Aye, I will,” replied Molly eagerly, drying her tears with the back of her hand.
“Then come alang,” said Souter, ready to make amends82. “Come an’ pull a stock. Gie me your hand.” She did so eagerly. “Noo shut your eyes tight; that’s it; come along noo.” But Molly braced83 herself and refused to move.
“I’m afeered o’ the dark an’ the witches,” she faltered, her teeth chattering, her eyes so tightly closed that her face was drawn84 into a mass of deep wrinkles.
They all crowded round the couple with words of praise and encouragement, and presently Molly was persuaded to take a step forward and then another, and finally the two moved slowly away and were swallowed up in the darkness.
Meanwhile the rest of the revelers, after a whispered consultation85, hurried to the outhouse, amid smothered86 shrieks87 of laughter.
Molly and Souter walked slowly and timidly toward the field of corn, which looked unreal and shadowy in the pale moonlight. Molly’s few remaining teeth were now chattering so loudly that Souter began[100] to grow nervous. He jerked her arm impatiently.
“Be a mon, Molly,” he hoarsely whispered, his voice a little shaky.
“I’m afeered to,” she answered, opening her eyes and looking fearfully around. They took a few more stumbling step, then stopped.
“Och, get off my foot, ye towsie tyke!” cried Souter. Molly hastily removed the offending member and on they went again. Suddenly they stopped, rooted to the spot in terror. A low, blood-curdling moan had rent the stillness. Again it came, chilling the very blood in their veins88 by its awful weirdness89.
Turning, they beheld a sight that caused their hair to stand on end, “the marrow93 to congeal94 in their bones,” as Souter afterward95 explained the sensation which came over him. Coming toward them was a score or more of hideous96 apparitions97 with fire blazing from their eyes and their horribly grinning mouths, and groaning98 and moaning like lost souls. With a mortal cry of terror, the frightened couple sped on wings of fear back to the friendly light of the kitchen, the ghostly figures darting99 after them with diabolical100 bursts of laughter. As they slammed the door of the house behind them their pursuers stopped and quickly blew out their Jack-o’-Lanterns and then threw them to one side.
[101]
“I didna ken mortal mon could e’er run so fast,” snickered Poosie Nancy to the others as they noiselessly entered the kitchen in time to hear the wonderful tale of Souter’s hairbreadth escape from the witches.
Another hour of mirth and jollity, of dance and song soon sped around. Souter and Molly were still the center of an admiring group, for they had seen the witches with their own eyes, and that distinction was theirs alone that night. Suddenly the old clock struck twelve, then began a merry scrambling101 for bonnets102 and plaids. Having donned them, they noisily crowded around their hostesses, who were lined up against the wall, waiting ceremoniously to be thanked for their hospitality and to bid their parting guests godspeed. As the darts103 of homely104 wit and repartee105 flew back and forth among them, causing the lads to burst into uproarious laughter or to grin in awkward bashfulness, and the lassies to turn their heads away blushingly or to toss their curls coquettishly, the door burst in suddenly, and Tam O’Shanter staggered to the center of the floor, pale, wild-eyed, and disheveled.
“Tam O’Shanter!” they cried, gazing at him in startled amazement. Souter quickly reached his old cronie’s side.
“What’s the matter, mon? hae ye seen a ghost?” he asked concernedly.
“Aye, worse than that, much worse,” hoarsely[102] replied Tam, wiping the sweat from off his forehead with a trembling hand.
“What’s happened?” cried old Bess fearfully.
“Calm yoursel’ an’ tell us, Tam,” said Souter soothingly106. They brought him a chair, for he trembled like an aspen leaf. Throwing himself into it, he gazed about him fearfully, the while struggling to regain107 his breath.
“Well,’tis this way, Souter,” he began presently in a husky whisper. “I left the Arms Inn about an hour ago or thereabouts an’ started for hame, for ’tis a long ride to Carrick, ye ken, an’ a most uncanny ride e’en in the daylight.”
“That’s true,” affirmed Poosie Nancy with a nod of conviction to the others.
“Weel,” continued Tam impressively, “a few miles beyond the Maypole road ye have to pass a dark, uncanny spot, the cairn where the hunters found the murdered bairn. Ye ken the spot, Souter?” turning to him for confirmation108.
Souter nodded his head quickly. “Aye, Tam, I ken it weel, for ’twas near there old Mingo’s mother hanged hersel’.” Old Bess looked over her shoulder nervously.
“Aye,” eagerly assented109 Tam, then he continued, “Weel, a weird90 sight awaited me there; my blood runs cold noo. Suddenly I heard a sound o’ music and revelry, and Maggie stopped still, frightened stiff. I looked up, and glimmering110 thro’ the trees[103] was auld Kirk Alloway all a blaze o’ light.” He paused to note the effect of his astounding111 statement.
They looked at each other disbelievingly. Some turned angrily away, muttering to themselves. Was old Tam making sport of them?
“Go alang, mon,” cried Poosie Nancy with an incredulous sniff112 of her pug nose. “’Tis naught but an old tumbled down ruin.”
“I’m telling ye gospel truth,” replied Tam earnestly. They crowded around again, ready to be convinced, though still eying him distrustfully.
“Well, I was nae afraid,” continued Tam bashfully, “for I was inspired by bold John Barleycorn, so I rode Maggie close to the wall an’ there thro’ the openin’, I saw inside, and wow! I saw an unco sight!” Tam was becoming warmed up with his recital113. The eager, excited faces crowding around him had restored his courage and flattered his vanity. He paused impressively, his eyes fixed and staring, gazing straight past the faces of his listeners as though he saw the unco sight again. He noted114 with pleasure the frightened glances they gave over their shoulders. Then he proceeded slowly in a sibilant whisper, “There were warlocks and witches dancin’ hornpipes and jigs115 around the Kirk, dressed only in their sarks. There were open coffins116 standin’ around like clothespresses, an’ in each coffin117 stood a corpse118 holdin’ in its cauld hand a burnin’ light. An’ by that light I saw two span-lang wee unchristened[104] bairns, white and cold upon the holy table.” Tam wiped the sweat off his brow and moistened his dry lips; then he proceeded with his harrowing tale. “Beside the bairns lay a bloody119 knife wi’ gray hairs still sticking to the heft an’——”
But with a shudder120 of fear, their faces blanched121 and drawn, they exclaimed in doubting horror, “Nay!” “Stop!” “Out on ye, mon!” “It’s nae true!” etc. Tam was not to be cut off in the midst of his tale so unceremoniously.
He rose excitedly from his seat and continued rapidly. “The dancers were twisting and turning like snakes, and there in a winnock-bunker sat Auld Nick himsel’, in the shape of a beast, playing the pipes. Och, friends, it was an inspirin’ sight, and in my excitement I yelled out——”
They boisterously applauded him for his courage, but the lassies still clung to each other nervously.
“Then what happened, Tam?” asked Souter quizzingly. He could not quite bring himself to believe Tam’s improbable tale, he knew the old sinner so well.
“Weel, the lights went out in an instant,” continued Tam dramatically. “I had no sooner turned Maggie’s head than out poured those unco witches like bees buzzin’ in anger. I didna’ stop to meet[105] them, for Maggie, knowing her danger, bounded off like a terrified deer and plunged124 off desperately125 through the trees toward the brig with all these witches followin’ wi’ eldritch screeches126, close to her heels till I could feel their breath on my clammy neck. Oh, what an awful moment for me! but I knew if I could but reach the keystone of the auld brig I would be safe, for witches darena cross a running stream, ye ken. Mag did her speedy utmost, but old Nannie pursued close behind and flew at me with tooth and nail, but she didna’ know my Maggie’s mettle,” Tam laughed gleefully, “for with one grand leap she reached the brig and saved her master’s life, just as that Carline Nannie caught her by the rump, an’ my poor Maggie left behind her old gray tail.”
As he finished his recital he gazed around him triumphantly127. There was an audible sigh of relief from all.
“What a wonderful experience ye had, Tam,” cried Poosie Nancy admiringly. They all congratulated him on his narrow escape and pressed food and drink on him, showered him with words of praise, and in short made him out a daring hero, much to Souter’s disgust. He sat apart from the rest in dignified129 silence, his heart wounded and sore, for was not his late ghostly exploit completely ignored and forgotten?[106] “Le Roi est mort, vive le Roi,” he might have said to himself.
“Listen,” cried Tam, jumping to his feet, his face tense with eagerness. Faintly the patter, patter of a horse’s hoofs130 was heard drawing nearer and nearer.
“’Tis only someone comin’ alang the highway,” said Souter carelessly.
“’Tis my Maggie,” cried Tam almost tearfully. “She’s comin’ back for her master,” and with a bound he reached the open doorway. A few steps took him to the stone wall along the other side of which ran the King’s Highway. “She’s comin’, she’s comin’, my faithful Maggie is comin’,” he cried joyfully131.
“She must be an unco sight wi’out a tail, Tam,” sneered132 Souter. A roar of laughter greeted this sarcastic133 retort.
“Dinna’ ye dare laugh,” cried Tam, turning on them furiously. The hoofbeats stopped suddenly. In the misty134 moonlight they caught a glimpse of a huge white creature, looking very spectral135 and ghost-like, impatiently tossing its head from side to side as if in search of something or someone. With a glad cry Tam vaulted136 the fence, old as he was, and dashed down the road, calling lovingly, “I’m comin’, Maggie, I’m comin’ to ye.” A whinny of delight, a snort of pleasure, greeted him as he reached his old mare137’s side. Then like a phantom138, the old[107] gray mare and her rider sped swiftly past them on into the night and away toward Carrick.
Silently they watched them, while the hoofbeats grew fainter and fainter and then were lost to sound. Such was Tam O’Shanter’s tale, the fame of which soon spread throughout all Ayrshire.
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ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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convene
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| v.集合，召集，召唤，聚集，集合 | |
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hilarious
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| adj.充满笑声的，欢闹的；[反]depressed | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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jibes
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| n.与…一致( jibe的名词复数 )；（与…）相符；相匹配v.与…一致( jibe的第三人称单数 )；（与…）相符；相匹配 | |
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auld
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| adj.老的，旧的 | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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comely
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| adj.漂亮的，合宜的 | |
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juncture
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| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
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tuned
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| adj.调谐的，已调谐的v.调音( tune的过去式和过去分词 )；调整；（给收音机、电视等）调谐；使协调 | |
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15
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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16
fiddle
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| n.小提琴；vi.拉提琴；不停拨弄，乱动 | |
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17
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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18
majestically
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| 雄伟地； 庄重地； 威严地； 崇高地 | |
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rivalry
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| n.竞争，竞赛，对抗 | |
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20
ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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21
hop
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| n.单脚跳，跳跃；vi.单脚跳，跳跃；着手做某事；vt.跳跃，跃过 | |
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22
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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23
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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24
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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26
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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heeding
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
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28
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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29
boisterously
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| adv.喧闹地，吵闹地 | |
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30
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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31
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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32
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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33
beseechingly
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| adv. 恳求地 | |
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34
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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35
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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36
highland
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| n.(pl.)高地，山地 | |
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37
ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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38
recreant
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| n.懦夫；adj.胆怯的 | |
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39
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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40
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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41
serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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42
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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43
apathetically
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| adv.不露感情地；无动于衷地；不感兴趣地；冷淡地 | |
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44
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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45
eccentricity
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| n.古怪，反常，怪癖 | |
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46
solicitously
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| adv.热心地，热切地 | |
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47
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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48
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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49
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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50
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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51
latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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52
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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53
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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54
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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55
hemp
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| n.大麻；纤维 | |
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56
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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57
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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58
potency
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| n. 效力，潜能 | |
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59
faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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60
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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61
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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62
stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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63
curbing
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| n.边石，边石的材料v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的现在分词 ) | |
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64
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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65
sepulchral
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| adj.坟墓的，阴深的 | |
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66
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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67
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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68
industriously
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69
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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70
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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71
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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72
tormentor
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| n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter | |
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73
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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74
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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75
admonished
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| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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76
winsome
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| n.迷人的，漂亮的 | |
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77
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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78
looming
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| n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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79
clouted
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| adj.缀补的，凝固的v.（尤指用手）猛击，重打( clout的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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80
peals
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| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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81
gainsaying
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| v.否认，反驳( gainsay的现在分词 ) | |
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82
amends
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| n. 赔偿 | |
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83
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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84
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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85
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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86
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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87
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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88
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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89
weirdness
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| n.古怪，离奇，不可思议 | |
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90
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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91
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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92
abject
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| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
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93
marrow
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| n.骨髓；精华；活力 | |
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94
congeal
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| v.凝结，凝固 | |
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95
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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96
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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97
apparitions
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| n.特异景象( apparition的名词复数 )；幽灵；鬼；（特异景象等的）出现 | |
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98
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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99
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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100
diabolical
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| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
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101
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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102
bonnets
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| n.童帽( bonnet的名词复数 )；（烟囱等的）覆盖物；（苏格兰男子的）无边呢帽；（女子戴的）任何一种帽子 | |
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103
darts
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| n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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104
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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105
repartee
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| n.机敏的应答 | |
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106
soothingly
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| adv.抚慰地，安慰地；镇痛地 | |
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107
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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108
confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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109
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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111
astounding
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| adj.使人震惊的vt.使震惊，使大吃一惊astound的现在分词) | |
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112
sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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113
recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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114
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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115
jigs
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| n.快步舞（曲）极快地( jig的名词复数 )；夹具v.（使）上下急动( jig的第三人称单数 ) | |
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116
coffins
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| n.棺材( coffin的名词复数 )；使某人早亡[死，完蛋，垮台等]之物 | |
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117
coffin
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| n.棺材，灵柩 | |
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118
corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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119
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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120
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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121
blanched
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| v.使变白( blanch的过去式 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
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122
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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123
temerity
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| n.鲁莽，冒失 | |
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124
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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125
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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126
screeches
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| n.尖锐的声音( screech的名词复数 )v.发出尖叫声( screech的第三人称单数 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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127
triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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128
alluding
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| 提及，暗指( allude的现在分词 ) | |
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129
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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130
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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131
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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132
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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133
sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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134
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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135
spectral
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| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
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136
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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137
mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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