`If you think, sir knight,' says the Black Thief, `that the danger
I was in surpasses that of this young man, will you pardon him his
crime?'

`I will,' says the knight, `so go on with your story.'

`I was, sir,' says he, `a very wild boy in my youth, and came
through many distresses; once in particular, as I was on my
rambling, I was benighted and could find no lodging. At length I
came to an old kiln, and being much fatigued I went up and lay on
the ribs. I had not been long there when I saw three witches
coming in with three bags of gold. Each put their bags of gold
under their heads, as if to sleep. I heard one of them say to the
other that if the Black Thief came on them while they slept, he
would not leave them a penny. I found by their discourse that
everybody had got my name into their mouth, though I kept silent
as death during their discourse. At length they fell fast asleep, and
then I stole softly down, and seeing some turf convenient,
I placed one under each of their heads, and off I went, with their gold,
as fast as I could.

`I had not gone far,' continued the Thief of Sloan, `until I saw a grey-
hound, a hare, and a hawk in pursuit of me, and began to think it must be the
witches that had taken the shapes in order that I might not escape them
unseen either by land or water. Seeing they did not appear in any formidable
shape, I was more than once resolved to attack them, thinking that with
my broad sword I could easily destroy them. But considering again
that it was perhaps still in their power to become alive again, I
gave over the attempt and climbed with difficulty up a tree, bringing