26 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



danger is imminent : if his foot happens to slip, or is put 

 down unwarily, he may never more be seen. Solway moss 

 is a wild and tradition-haunted place. Fiery shapes are 

 seen, ofttimes, skimming rapidly where mortal steps may 

 not adventure ; fearful to look upon, yet somewhat beau- 

 tiful, for the ignis fatuus assumes a variety of fantastic 

 shapes ; at one time resembling a globe of fire at another, 

 a flickering light at another, a pale meteor-form, hovering 

 over some legendary spot. Such are the night fires of 

 Solway moss ; and tales are told concerning them beside 

 the wintry hearth, which make the heart of many a timid 

 urchin sink within him. " You may not see the spot," 

 said an aged sire, " for the night has gathered, and methinks 

 I would not look out into the darkness, lest, perchance, we 

 should see its strange, unearthly guards. But you know the 

 old stunted willows, that stand on the verge of the firm 

 land. There it was that, after the fight of Solway, when 

 the Scotch army, commanded by Oliver Sinclair, was routed, 

 a troop of horse came rushing over the plain, and plunged, 



