We fetched lights and went aloft (who is to be afraid of a spirit or two ?) but we saw naught.

Not a footstep in the snow, or a sign of man or fiend either--except only a headless dog.

Ay, you may stare, but I saw it--it smoked brimstone, neighbours, and the snow all around it was red-hot! And what was most horrible of all, when we cast up our lights, I tell you, the Scot's head had changed to the head of a dog, which grinned and leered at us, with eyes like coals and tongue all ablaze, till we could scarce stay where we were.

That's all.

And ere I go back to that gate, neighbours, may I turn Pope and Spaniard! Give me a drink, host, for, by my soul, I know not which end of me is uppermost." By this time the company had left their benches and were scattered about the room, gossiping over this last great news and questioning the fellow more.