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 my sword in my hand and all the gold along with me . However , when they came to the tree they found what I had done , and making further use of their hellish art , one of them was changed into a smith 's anvil and another into a piece of iron , of which the third soon made a hatchet . Having the hatchet made , she fell to cutting down the tree , and in the course of an hour it began to shake with me . At length it began to bend , and I found that one or two blows at the most would put it down . I then began to think that my death was inevitable , considering that those who were capable of doing so much would soon end my life ; but just as she had the stroke drawn that would terminate my fate , the cock crew , and the witches disappeared , having resumed their natural shapes for fear of being known , and I got safe off with my bags of gold . ` Now , sir , ' says he to the Knight of the Glen , ` if that be not as great an adventure as ever you heard , to be within one blow of a hatchet of my end , and that blow even drawn , and after all to escape , I leave it to yourself . ' ` Well , I can not say but it is very extraordinary , ' says the Knight of the Glen , ` and on that account pardon this young man his crime ; so stir up the fire , till I boil this second one . ' ` Indeed , ' says the Black Thief , ' I would fain think he would not die this time either . ' ` How so ? ' says the knight ; ` it is impossible for him to escape . ' ' I escaped death more wonderfully myself , ' says the Thief of Sloan , ` than if you had him ready to throw into the furnace , and I hope it will be the case with him likewise . ' ` Why , have you been in another great danger ? ' says the knight . ' I would be glad to hear the story too , and if it be as wonderful as the last , I will pardon this young man as I did the other . ' ` My way of living , sir , ' says the Black Thief , ` was not good , as I told you before ; and being at a certain time fairly run out of cash , and meeting with no enterprise worthy of notice , I was reduced to great straits . At length a rich bishop died in the neighbourhood I was then in , and I heard he was interred with a great deal of jewels and rich robes upon him , all which I intended in a short time to be master of . Accordingly that very night I set about it , and coming to the place , I understood he was placed at the further end of a long dark vault , which I slowly entered . I had not gone in far until I heard a foot coming towards me with a quick pace , and although naturally bold and daring , yet , thinking of the deceased bishop and the crime I was engaged in , I lost courage , and ran towards the entrance of the vault .
I had retreated but a few paces when I observed , between me and the light , the figure of a tall black man standing XXXXX the entrance .
At about as before if in of over towards within