But you will not at first get work which only trained hands
can do. I shall be considerate enough not to require you to go abroad
while the sun is up; but you will bear a hand at night when no moon
is to be seen; and when the storm kindly helps to conceal suspicious
noises. Now and again, young man, if I must be so plain, I will need
you to aid in breaking houses, and gagging noisy fools. Sometimes I
will require you to crack a skull, if easier methods fail in the
prosecution of our enterprises. I take a fancy sometime for carrying
folks away to our curious quarters; some of whom it suits my humour
to retain for a time, others of whom I allow to sink into the
mysterious hollow swamp. We have not carried away a pretty lass for
many months now; and it is quite desolate here sometimes when one has
not handsome female eyes to look into his and give him cheer.
'But I have had my eye upon a girl distant far from here. Over a year
ago I saw her in her father's orchard gathering peaches. Looking up
her eyes met mine, which were burning upon her through the hedge. She
gave a shriek of horror and ran away. Never, young man, had my eyes
before rested upon a being so fair as this.
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