LIFE AND STAR-GAZING AT TULLYNESSLE. 1 19 



silence. Looking apprehensively round, she saw it stealthily 

 and slowly pushed open, while a weird-looking face, darkly 

 illumined by the solitary rush light, appeared in the narrow 

 space, giving her "a terrible fright." In tones of real terror, 

 she sprang up and demanded who was there. In an 

 instant, she was relieved. It was only John Duncan, who 

 at once stepped forward to show himself and to apologize 

 for thus alarming her. He explained that seeing the red 

 light shining through the crannies of the byre at that late 

 hour, he thought the place on fire ; otherwise, he would not 

 have disturbed her. He had been at the top of Knock- 

 saul, watching the stars. But, as she said, " he was a 

 quiet, harmless man and interfered in nobody's affairs." 



John lived at Muckletown for seven or eight years 

 but not continuously, contented, comfortable, and happy, 

 notwithstanding the pranks played on him by his frolicsome 

 neighbours, and in spite of a visit from his wandering wife, 

 who turned up here as she had done everywhere else. 

 When not engaged in his studies, which he usually pro- 

 secuted in the shop or in the open air, he spent the 

 evenings next door, at the pleasant and appreciative fire- 

 side of the Wilsons, or in the merry kitchen of his employer. 

 Being a public-spirited, humorous man and a good fiddler, 

 Barren's house was a kind of rendezvous for the neighbour- 

 hood. Notwithstanding his philosophy and douceness, 

 John enjoyed a merry evening with the best of them, 

 contributing his share to the entertainment along with 

 the rest, for he was always counted "capital company" 

 when amongst congenial friends. 



One night in 1831, this secluded community were 

 startled into consternation and tragic fear. The winter 



