Coul—You need not multiply words upon that head, for you are as safe with me and safer, if safer can be, than when I was alive.
I said—Well then, Coul, let me have a peaceable and easy conversation with you for the time we ride together, and give me some information about the affairs of the other world, for no man inclines to lose his time in conversing with the dead without having a prospect of hearing and learning something that may be useful.
Coul—Well, sir, I will satisfy you as far as I think it proper and convenient. Let me know what information you want from me.
Ogilvie—Well, then, what sort of body is it that you appear in, and what sort of a horse is it that you ride on that appears so full of mettle?
Coul—You may depend upon it ’tis not the same body that I was witness to your marriage in, nor in which I died, for that is in the grave rotting; but it is such a body as answers me in a moment, for I can fly as fast as my soul can do without it, so that I can go to Dumfries and return again before you ride twice the length of your horse: nay, if I incline to go to London, or to Jerusalem, or to the moon, if you please, I can perform all these journeys equally soon, for it costs me nothing but a thought or wish; for this body you see is as fleet as your thought, for in the same moment of time that you carry your thoughts to Rome I can go there in person. And for my horse, he is much like myself, for ’tis Andrew Johnstoun, who was seven years my tenant, and he died 48 hours before me.
Ogilvie—So it seems when Andrew Johnstoun inclines to ride you must serve him for a horse, as he now does you?
The Third Conference.
Upon the 9th of April, 1722, as I was returning from Old Hamstocks, Coul struck up with me upon the back, at the foot of the ruinous inclosure before we come to Dodds. I told him his last conversation had proven so acceptable to me that I was well pleased to see him again, and that there was a vast number of things which I wanted to inform myself further of, if he would be so good as to satisfy me.
Coul—Last time we met I refused you nothing that you asked, and now I expect you will refuse me nothing that I ask.
Ogilvie—Nothing, sir, that is in my power, or that I can with safety to my reputation and character. What then are your demands upon me?