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 in the entrance . Being in great fear and not knowing how to pass , I fired a pistol at him , and he immediately fell across the entrance . Perceiving he still retained the figure of a mortal man , I began to imagine that it could not be the bishop 's ghost ; recovering myself therefore from the fear I was in , I ventured to the upper end of the vault , where I found a large bundle , and upon further examination I found that the corpse was already rifled , and that which I had taken to be a ghost was no more than one of his own clergy . I was then very sorry that I had the misfortune to kill him , but it then could not be helped . I took up the bundle that contained everything belonging to the corpse that was valuable , intending to take my departure from this melancholy abode ; but just as I came to the mouth of the entrance I saw the guards of the place coming towards me , and distinctly heard them saying that they would look in the vault , for that the Black Thief would think little of robbing the corpse if he was anywhere in the place .
I did not then know in what manner XXXXX act , for if I was seen I would surely lose my life , as everybody had a look-out at that time , and because there was no person bold enough to come in on me .
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