the crone, who sat almost double, her chin resting on the neb of her
crutch.

"Now will we give thee two changes of raiment, together with a mess of
barley-pottage; and every year thou shalt have a penny at Easter, and a
fat hen at Shrovetide."

"Good," said the greedy beldame; "but I'll have a sheep-skin cap for the
boy, and a horn spoon." This demand was also granted; after which she
made signs to the lad, who swung his head to and fro, at the same time
distorting his features with a wild and terrible rapidity. It was
evident that he understood the nature of these proceedings. A glance,
like that of mockery and derision, he cast towards the crowd; and when
Mother Cicely was returning, he threw back upon them a look of scorn and
malignity which made the beholders shrink aside with horror.

The people now addressed themselves to the task of replacing the heavy
materials, and ere night the greater part were withdrawn, ready to
begin with the foundations again on the morrow.

A sort of rude shelter was constructed, wherein Uctred was to keep watch
until daylight.

The morning came, calm and beautiful over the grey hills; and the
anxious inhabitants, awake betimes, did each turn his first steps
towards the river's brink. With horror and amazement they again beheld
the ground bare. Not a vestige remained, nor was there any trace of the
boy.

"He is gone to his own," said they, as a general shudder went through