The Laird o' Coul's Ghost

Excerpt

The First Conference

An Account of Mr. Maxwell Laird of Coul his Appearance after Death to Mr. Ogilvie a Minister of the present Establishment at Innerwick, 3 Miles East from Dunbar.

Upon the 3d Day of February, 1722, at seven a clock at Night after I had parted with Thurston [his Name Cant], and was coming up the Burial Road, one came riding up after me: upon hearing the Noise of his Horse’s feet, I took it to be Thurston, but upon looking back, and seeing the Horse of a greyish Colour, I called “Who is there?” The Answer was, “The Laird of Coul [his Name Maxwell], be not afraid.” Then looking to him by the Help of the dark Light which the Moon afforded, I took him to be Collector Castellow designing to put a Trick upon me, and immediately I struck at him with all my Force, with my Cane, thinking I mould leave upon him a Mark, to make him remember his Presumption; but being sensible I aimed as well as ever I did in my Life, yet my Cane finding no Resistance, but flying out of my Hand the Distance of about 60 Feet, and observing it by its white Head, I dismounted and took it up, and had some Difficulty in mounting again, what by the ramping of my Horse, and what by Reason of a certain Kind of Trembling throughout my whole Joints; Something likewise of Anger had its share in the Confusion; for, as I thought, he laughed when my Staff flew away; Coming up with him again, who halted all the Time I sought my Staff, I asked once more, “Who he was?” He answered, “The Laird of Coul.” I enquired—j, “If he was the Laird of Coul, what brought him hither?” and “What was his Business with me?”

C. The reason of my waiting on you is, that I know you are disposed to do for me a Thing which none of your Brethren in Nithsdale will so much as attempt, tho’ it serve to ever so good Purposes. I told him I would never refuse to do a Thing to serve a good Purpose, If I thought I was obliged to do it as my Duty. He answered, since I had undertaken what he found few in Nithsdale would, for he had tryed some upon that Subject, who were more obliged to him than ever I was, or to any Person living: I drew my Horse, and halted in Surprize, asking What I had undertaken? He answered, that on the Sabbath last, I had heartily condemned M. Paton, and the Rest of the Ministers in Dumfries Presbytery for dissuading Dr. Menzies’s Man, from keeping his Appointment with me, and that if you had been in their Place, you would have persuaded the Lad to do as I desired him; and that you would have gone with him, lest he had been feared; and that if you had been in Mr. Paton’s Place, you would have delivered my Commissions your self, since it tended to do some People Justice.

O. Pray, Coul, who informed you that I talked at that Rate?

C. You must know, that we are acquainted with many Things, that the Living know nothing about. These Things you did say, and much more to that Purpose, and all that I want is, that you fulfill your Promise, and deliver my Commissions to my loving Wife....