“On the following morning I again repaired to the cottage of the witch, and found her, as on the former occasion, seated by the fire. ‘Well, Bertha,’ I said, ‘I have obeyed you; I was yesterday at midnight on Arncliffe bridge.’
“‘And of what sight were you a witness?’
“‘I saw nothing except a slight disturbance of the stream.’
“‘I know,’ she said, ‘you saw a disturbance of the water, but did you behold nothing more?’
“‘Nothing.’
“‘Nothing! your memory fails you.’
“‘I forgot, Bertha; as I was proceeding home, I met a Newfoundland dog, which I suppose belonged to some traveller.’
“‘That dog,’ answered Bertha, ‘never belonged to mortal; no human being is his master. The dog you saw was Bargest; you may, perhaps, have heard of him.’
“‘I have frequently heard tales of Bargest, but I never credited them. If the legends of my native hills be true, a death may be expected to follow his appearance.’